Results of the Brentford Identity Survey Released
Community web sites ranked as most important source of local information
The results of the Brentford Identity Survey have been published.
Following the Brentford Community Survey carried out in the Summer this is the second survey run by Brentford Voice. The main aims were to gain an insight into the characteristics of Brentford that are most valued by the community and the factors which are regarded as threats to our future.
127 people responded to the survey the results of which can be seen in full here.
About 75% of respondents believe that Brentford has a distinctive community character and identity and an emotional attraction to Brentford, a feeling of belonging, and Brentford’s well defined geographical boundaries are regarded as the most important unifying elements that bind us.
The main “cultural cornerstone” of the community is the waterside (the rivers and the canal) followed by the Watermans Arts Centre, Brentford Football Club, and The Butts.
The survey showed that community web sites like BrentfordTW8.com were seen by over half the respondents as being the most important means of finding out information about the local community with less than a third saying it was social media and only 10% specifying the Council’s web site and 5% the local newspaper.
Poor planning and overdevelopment is regarded as the main factor that has already harmed Brentford’s character and identity. Other significant factors are the rundown of the High Street and the lack of infrastructure and amenities.
The importance of Brentford’s waterside is regarded as a very significant factor in the future preservation of Brentford’s community and identity.
A spokesperson for Brentford Voice said, “Many thanks to all those who responded to the survey. We appreciate that some of the survey questions were quite challenging but even if you were not one of those who responded we hope that you will find the results to be of interest. Brentford Voice has certainly found the results to be very informative.
“This is one of the first steps in developing a vision of how we would all like to see Brentford in the years to come. In the very near future, we will send you another document which describes the main elements of that vision. We look forward to working with the community, with LB Hounslow, and others, in developing a vision which is owned by the people of Brentford.”
If you have any comments or suggestions about the survey you can contact info@brentfordvoice.co.uk.
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December 11, 2020