FAQs
- Decluttering of the highway to enhance the visual appearance of the town centre
- Soft urban landscaping
- Cycling facilities (cycle lanes and toucan crossings)
- Public realm quality materials to enhance the Town Centre
- Limited raised carriageway and change in surface treatment to improve pedestrian connectivity
- New pedestrian crossing facilities
- New signalised junction layouts to improve the junction efficiency and allow better management of traffic.
1. Why was the scheme required?
West Sussex County Council (WSCC) identified that the county requires significant investment in new infrastructure to help stimulate economic growth, with Crawley as a key growth location.
The Crawley Growth Programme (opens in new tab) is a £60 million package which will “unlock” jobs, business space and home building in the town through major infrastructure improvements.
The Eastern Gateway project improves pedestrian, cycling and bus access and facilities and creates better connectivity between the railway and bus stations.
Eastern Gateway includes improvements to public space and connectivity to support key development opportunities at the Town Hall, County Buildings, Telford Place and Crawley College.
2. Where is the scheme?
The Eastern Gateway project covers the eastern half of The Boulevard, Exchange Road, the southern end of Northgate Avenue, College Road including the roundabout, Southgate Avenue up to and including the junction with Station Way.
3. What does the scheme include?
The Eastern Gateway Scheme features include the following improvements and changes:
4. What will the schemes cost to implement and how is it funded?
The cost for implementing the Eastern Gateway scheme is £9 million funded through the Crawley Growth Programme. The Crawley Growth programme will be delivered by a major partnership of public and private organisations, including the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership, West Sussex County Council, Crawley Borough Council, Metrobus, Gatwick Airport Limited, Manor Royal Business Improvement District (BID) Company.
5. Who delivered the project?
As part of the Crawley Growth Programme, West Sussex County Council were the lead authority for the Eastern Gateway Project and Contract Management for the proposed improvements.
7. What provision was made for walking and cycling?
The Eastern Gateway Project improved pedestrian and cycling facilities. On some sections, cyclists now come from a dedicated cycle lane, onto clearly marked shared use space. This meets the current standards for width of shared use facilities and we have worked closely with safety advisors to maximise safe use of these spaces.
8. Was the environment impacted by the scheme?
Surveys were undertaken to assess and minimise the impacts of the scheme on the local habitat. In general, the scheme did not expected have a significant negative impact on species or habitats along the route.
With consideration for the existing trees on the roundabout, due to tree type, expected lifespan, location, conditions and the new roundabout layout, we decided that the best action was to remove them and plant new trees. We removed a total of 13 trees, replacing them with 10 in the inner roundabout island. We also planted a further 12 new trees in the newly created soft landscape areas around the roundabout. Shrubs and wildflowers have been planted in College Road.
Where can I access more information?
For more information or any other questions, please email, easterngatewayworks@westsussex.gov.uk