The Grand Union Canal was constructed in the 18th century and the River Brent was finally converted into part of the British canal network in 1805.
Brentford Dock began construction in 1855 to a plan by Brunel as a freight link between river-borne traffic and the Great Western Railway's (GWR) rail network to the West Country and other parts of the United Kingdom. It was opened in 1859.
In the 1950s and early 1960s, with increased road traffic, much less use was made of the waterways for transporting goods. Brentford Dock was closed in 1964.
In 1972 construction work began on the Brentford Dock Estate and the project was completed six years later in 1978.
For the official opening of Brentford Dock Marina on 7 August 1980 Sir Horace Cutler, head of what was then the GLC (Greater London Council), sailed up river from County Hall on the Princess Freda. The photograph shows him cutting the blue ribbon draped across the lock gates.
