Work on Station Gateway project looks set to come in under budget, Crawley councillors told
Work on Crawley’s Station Gateway project looks set to come in under budget, councillors have been told.
The aim of the scheme is to deliver major improvements to the area around the bus station, Friary Way, Station Way, Haslett Avenue West and along The Martlets, which links County Mall shopping centre to Queens Square.
During a meeting of the full council on Wednesday, October 21, Atif Nawaz, cabinet member for planning and economic development, said: “The scheme remains within its £7.4 million budget and is currently forecasting an underspend.
“We have also successfully secured and spent £2 million of Towns Fund investment to help deliver these improvements for Crawley.”
Work on the new crossings at the Station Way/Friary Way junction is largely finished, as is the work on the Haslett Avenue West roundabout.
Around three-quarters of the natural stone paving has been laid in The Martlets, with tree planting, seating and lighting to be added.
A new water main has been installed in Friary Way, with work on the bus station renovation due to start in 2027. Crawley is one of the highest bus users in the country per capita, so that work can’t be completed soon enough.
Once complete, the station will boast modern bus shelters, with improved seating, lighting, living roofs, real-time travel information and increased capacity.
With Christmas creeping up on us, some workers will soon down tools.
Mr Nawaz said: “We have listened to our retailers. To support Christmas trading, works in The Martlets will pause at the end of November, helping ensure shoppers and businesses can enjoy the busiest retail period of the year with minimal disruption.”
About 100 square meters of paving outside the entrance to County Mall will be completed in the new year, after the festive trading period.
Mr Nawaz said: “This investment is helping build the modern, attractive town centre Crawley deserves.”