Following works beginning on phase one of the Station Gateway regeneration scheme, I had the pleasant duty to have a tour with the contractors appointed to deliver the works on behalf of Crawley Borough Council of several areas of the project to see first hand how improvements will take shape.
The Station Gateway scheme will see £7.4 million of investment into the public spaces and pedestrian areas on the Martlets, Haslett Avenue West and Friary Way, bring major improvements to the bus station, and create a new bus island and much improved pedestrian and cyclist links between Crawley rail station, the bus station, County Mall and the rest of the town centre core.
Construction for this first phase is expected to continue for approximately five months, with the entire scheme being completed within the next two years.
It’s great to see the Station Gateway regeneration scheme getting off to such a strong start in creating a safer, more accessible and more attractive space this will bring to residents and visitors.
There is going to be a fresh future for the Town Centre, despite the many challenges retail and hospitality are facing. Aside from the Council’s ongoing regeneration works here, we have rejuvenated the town’s market, and we are working with experts in developing a vision for the key strategic development areas in Town Centre East.
But that’s not all we’re doing to stimulate wider economic growth that will benefit residents. The newly opened Crawley Innovation Centre in the heart of Manor Royal is already bringing in new business tenants.
We are set to launch our ambitious new Economic and Placemaking Strategy and Vision for Crawley in the coming months with aspirations for sustained economic growth and prosperity through to 2040. This will build on the new Crawley Growth Deal, with exciting new regeneration schemes to boost Crawley’s economy, jobs and business base.
This will include the next phase of our Town Centre Regeneration programme along the Broadway, Broadwalk and the southern Boulevard, our Town Centre residential neighbourhood programme, and the realisation of a major new employment zone at “Gatwick Green” aiming to bring thousands of jobs into the area and harness as many economic benefits as possible from Gatwick Airport’s expansion.
And perhaps one of the crowning achievements will be finally starting improvements on the brilliant new improvement scheme at Three Bridges Station – we will soon reach a major milestone by appointing a works contractor in partnership with West Sussex County Council, starting on site, we anticipate, before the end of the year.
Crawley continues to thrive. Big improvements take time, rest assured however that they have begun and the outlook is genuinely bright.
Cllr Michael Jones
Leader, Crawley Borough Council