Contractor is hired to carry out £3.2m facelift of Queens Square

Blakedown Landscapes won the bid for work following a tender process which began in January.

The £3.2m scheme, which aims to regenerate the public space at the heart of the town centre, is being jointly funded by Crawley Borough Council, West Sussex County Council and the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership.

A council spokesman said: “Blakedown Landscapes will work from plans drawn up by urban designers Burns + Nice, which were agreed last year and which will transform Queens Square into a high quality, distinctive, adaptable and enjoyable public space. This will in turn encourage neighbouring landowners and businesses to invest more in the area, acting as a catalyst for wider regeneration.”

Work includes new paving, lighting, seating, street furniture, planting and a central focal point including a plaza and decorative water feature.

Blakedown Landscapes is an award-winning landscaping and civil engineering company, With more than 50 years’ experience, which has worked on major projects in Canary Wharf, Poplar, Basingstoke and Dover.

A schedule of works is due to be agreed and will be discussed with town centre businesses.

Cllr Peter Smith, Cabinet member for Planning and Economic Development, said: “We are looking forward to a high quality delivery from Blakedown Landscapes and I am very pleased that we’re all set to get this exciting project underway very soon.

“We anticipate this programme of regeneration will really transform this part of the town centre, encouraging people to spend more time shopping, socialising and having fun in the Queen’s Square.”

West Sussex County Council’s Cabinet member for Highways and Transport John O’Brien added: “The appointment of the main construction contractor is another key step towards delivering this new space for Crawley town centre.

“Like everyone else, we are looking forward to the day the new-look Queens Square is unveiled.”

Jonathan Sharrock, chief executive, Coast to Capital LEP, said: “Breathing new life into town centres such as Queens Square will act as a catalyst to attract new retail and development investment.

“We are very pleased to be supporting this exciting regeneration scheme, which has been awarded £1.5 million through our Local Growth Fund.”

For more information and to keep up to date with the works visit www.crawley.gov.uk/queenssquare and www.regeneratingcrawley.org.uk