Most Brentford people believe the town has its own identity with its cultural cornerstones being its rivers and canals.

This has been revealed in the results of the Brentford Community Survey carried out in the summer by community group Brentford Voice.

Many people said they had a strong emotional attachment to Brentford and a feeling of belonging.

But others said the area was being blighted by poor planning and overdevelopment.

The town's main assets, according to local people, are the Watermans arts and culture centre, The Butts and Brentford FC.

The rundown high street – currently under redevelopment through Ballymore's The Brentford Project – was highlighted as a blight on the town.

Below is a summary of the survey results.

- About 75% of respondents believe that Brentford has a distinctive community character and identity.

- 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 together as a community and as a place.

- 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.

- Poor planning and overdevelopment is regarded as the main factor that has already harmed Brentford's character and identity. Other significant factors are the run- down of the High Street and the lack of infrastructure and amenities.

- The same factors are regarded as the main threats or obstacles to Brentford's character and identity in the future.

- The importance of Brentford's waterside is strikingly regarded as a very significant factor in the future preservation of Brentford's community and identity.

- There are important messages in the results of the survey about the available channels of communication via social media, newspapers, and other media.

- The importance of community consultation by LB Hounslow is highlighted in the results.