• Developer: Crawley Borough Council
  • Status: Onsite
  • Website: Not specified
  • Type: Public realm

Western Boulevard is a public realm and highways improvement scheme being delivered as part of the Crawley Growth Programme as an extension to the Eastern Gateway scheme, completed in 2022. Funded by the UK Government Bus Service Improvement Plan, the scheme will improve bus facilities in the north of the town centre by widening the junction between the Boulevard and the Broadway. Visit gov UK's website for more information on the Bus Service Improvement Plan.

The changes will accommodate an additional dedicated bus lane for buses turning right from The Boulevard into The Broadway and an ongoing eastbound traffic lane on The Boulevard, allowing cars to keep moving whilst each bus turns. The overall scheme changes will benefit circa 10 million Crawley bus users each year through improved journey times. This in turn will help attract even greater numbers of visitors to the town centre by bus, which will benefit the town centre and its businesses.

The scheme will also construct new segregated cycle lanes to link the existing cycle lanes at the eastern end of The Boulevard to those on The High Street. This will provide better and safer connectivity for cyclists around the town centre. Moreover, new paving for the pedestrian footways will be installed at the western end of The Boulevard and around the junction with The Broadway to match the quality of paving at the eastern end of The Boulevard, which will visually unify the area.

Western Boulevard - current

Western Boulevard - artist's impression

Removal of the current one-way system. The Boulevard.

In order to avoid disruption over the busy Christmas period, the current one-way system will be removed at the end of November 2024. A presence will be maintained on site over the Christmas period, but The Boulevard will be open in both directions.

Phase 6 - resurfacing of The Boulevard. Monday 6 January to Friday 24 January 2025

Monday 6 January to Friday 17 of January 2025:

To enable the resurfacing works, on the western section of The Boulevard a temporary, one-way traffic management system will be reinstated on the morning of Monday 6th January 2025 and this will be in operation for a two-week period.  The temporary one-way system will require a section of The Boulevard to be closed to west bound traffic between the junction with the southern service road near the public toilets and the junction of the High Street. Vehicles wishing to access Bank Lane, The Broadway and the northern service road from the Boulevard will need to access The Boulevard at its western end - the High Street junction - and travel eastbound.

Buses will be diverted via Kilnmead, using the road in one direction only between Woodfield Road and High Street. For more information regarding potential route changes, visit the Metrobus website.

Monday 20 January to Friday 24 January 2025:

The Boulevard will be closed fully between The Broadway junction and the junction with the southern service road near the public toilets. During working hours there will be guided access to residents and businesses from the entrance/ exit outside of The Platform. Out of hours the site will be made accessible. During this time, The Boulevard between The Broadway junction and the High Street will revert to a two-way system.

Bus routes 22/100/400/420/460 towards Gatwick will be diverted via Kilnmead, using the road in one direction only between the High Street and Woodfield Road. All other routes will operate as usual. For more information regarding potential route changes, visit the Metrobus website.

Monday 6 January 2025 to Friday 24 January 2025:

The section of The Boulevard between the Northgate Avenue roundabout and the Boulevard’s junction with the southern service road will retain the existing two-way arrangements, therefore allowing westbound traffic to continue to circulate from the roundabout up to the southern service road junction. This means that access to the car parks and businesses on the southern service road will remain unaffected.

There will also be a fully signed diversion route, which will provide an alternative means for traffic to access the western Boulevard. The signed diversion route will require traffic from the Northgate Avenue roundabout to access the western Boulevard by following College Road, Station Way, and Pegler Way. 

Southern Service Road, between Pound Land and The Broadway – resurfacing:

The southern service road will be resurfaced as part of the improvement works - the road will be open during the day but closed between 8pm and 6am. The works will last for no more than two nights and are anticipated to occur between Monday 20 January 2025 to Friday 24 2025, we will liaise with businesses closer to the time in order to confirm the precise dates that week so to minimise disruption.

What to expect during the works

Phase 1 - Location: The Boulevard, Southern Service Road. Completed.

Completed.

Phase 2.2 - Location: The Boulevard, west of the junction with The Broadway. Completed.

Realignment of the west footway outside NatWest and the southern footway on The Boulevard between The Broadway and Bank Lane. New paving for the pedestrian footways will be installed to match the quality of paving at the eastern end of The Boulevard, which will visually unify the area. Localized and temporary disruption to business accesses is anticipated during this time, but access will be maintained at all times.

Phase 3 - Location: The Boulevard, northern kerb line west of the western junction with The Broadway, North Service Road. Commenced 16 September 2024 Anticipated duration 6 weeks

Realignment of the northern verge kerb line on The Broadway between High Street and the junction with the access to Crawley Museum to allow for carriageway widening and the introduction of a new eastbound Bus Lane and ongoing traffic lane. Access to the Museum and 5 The Boulevard will be maintained at all times.

Phase 4 - Location: The Boulevard, northern kerb line east of the eastern junction with The Broadway, North Service Road. Due to commence from 1 of October 2024.

Realignment of the access road junction closer to the Platform building apartments, the construction of the eastbound cycle lane and connecting with the existing eastbound cycle lane towards the Northgate Avenue Roundabout. Footway paving works will also take place at this location. Access to the Platform building will be maintained at all times.

Phase 5 - Location: The Boulevard, northern kerb line between the western and eastern access to The Broadway, North Service Road

Completion of the eastbound cycle lane which connecting the High Street with Northgate Avenue Roundabout. Upgraded pedestrian/cycle parallel crossing on The Boulevard, footway paving works will also take place at this location.

Phase 6 - Location: The Boulevard, resurfacing of carriage way between The Broadway and the High Street

Details to follow.

Western Boulevard scheme frequently asked questions

For further information about the Western Boulevard scheme see below.

Why is the scheme required?

The scheme has been designed to improve transport facilities in the town centre. The amendments to the junction at the Boulevard and the Broadway will enable improved bus journey times by giving priority to buses turning at the junction of the Boulevard and Broadway, along with new sections of bus lane on the Boulevard west of this junction.

The scheme will create a vital link between the existing cycle infrastructure on the High Street and the proposed cycle infrastructure being implemented through the Eastern Gateway project, providing better connectivity between the High Street and the rest of the town centre. Introducing a new segregated east and west cycle tracks along the Boulevard and a new parallel crossing on the Boulevard will enable people travelling by foot or by bike to cross the Boulevard more easily and safely and with their own dedicated space.

The scheme will enable eastbound traffic to continue their journey without waiting for buses turning right into the Broadway reducing congestion.

The works will soften the urban landscape and reduce the dominance of tarmac surfaces, creating a pleasant environment for people in the Town Centre, supporting key development opportunities at the Town Hall, County Buildings, Telford Place and Crawley College.

Where is the scheme?

The scheme covers the western end of the Boulevard in the town centre.

What does the scheme include?

The Western Boulevard Scheme includes the following improvements and changes:

  • Widening the junction to include an additional dedicated bus lane for buses turning right into the Broadway and a lane for ongoing traffic traveling eastbound on The Boulevard, allowing the cars to keep moving whilst the bus turns
  • Improved cycle facilities by continuing the segregated cycle tracks on The Boulevard completing the link to the existing cycle infrastructure on the High Street
  • Introduction of a parallel crossing to enable people travelling by foot or by bike to cross The Boulevard more easily and safely and with their own dedicated space
  • Modal filters applied to one service roads off The Boulevard, improving pedestrian and cyclist’s safety
  • Improved landscaping
  • Quality materials

Who is delivering the project?

Through the Crawley Growth Programme; Crawley Borough Council is the lead authority for this project.

Will the local community be affected during construction?

Crawley Borough Council will be working closely with the construction contractor to ensure that any disruption is kept to a reasonable minimum, taking into account the type and scale of the works.

We will communicate relevant information in a timely manner using appropriate media channels to ensure that everyone is kept informed as the scheme progresses.

How will the improvements impact the area?

Traffic modelling indicates that changes proposed, which give priority to buses turning in and out of The Broadway, will have a negligible impact on westbound Boulevard traffic. The changes will improve bus journey times. For people travelling by foot it will make journeys easier and safer. When travelling by bike, this is a key link to create dedicated space for cycling from east to west across the Town Centre.

Will the proposals improve bus journey times?

Yes, by adding a further dedicated bus lane and a give way line at the junction with the Broadway, it will give priority to buses turning in and out of the Broadway. This will reduce time spent waiting for a gap in the traffic, improving journey time reliability.

What provision has been made for walking and cycling?

The Western Boulevard scheme will feature improved pedestrian and cycling facilities, including a segregated parallel crossing and new segregated cycle tracks, dedicating space to both pedestrians and cyclists. The scheme will also see the introduction of 2 cycle streets in the service roads along the Boulevard.

Will there be continuous priority treatment of walkways across the side road entrances and exits at the old post office service road?

We are intending where possible, to provide continuous cycle and pedestrian priority across the side road entrances and exits of the northern service road of the Boulevard. It will be clear to motorised vehicles that pedestrian and cyclist have priority here.

How will the scheme fit into the wider area?

The Western Boulevard has been designed to connect to the existing Eastern Gateway scheme. The works represent the first phase of wider plans for the area that can come forward as and when further funding becomes available. This approach will minimise the likelihood of carrying out work now, only for it to be removed later. Later phases will continue segregated connection to the existing High Street infrastructure and improvements to the junction of High Street and The Boulevard.

Why is the eastbound cycle track not on the main carriageway?

In order to achieve the wider junction it was necessary to place the cycle lane to the north of the carriageway. The cycle tracks will be clearly marked.

Will the proposed improvements require additional land?

Most of the proposed improvements are contained within the existing highway. In order to deliver the full improvements to the crossing, there is the need to secure a small piece of land but the scheme can be progressed without it and improved at a later date once it has been secured. We recognise that there are a number of interactions with neighbouring properties and developments which will require close cooperation.

Will the road remain open during the works?

It is hoped that two-way traffic can be maintained for the majority of the works. However, until detailed designs are approved, the Traffic Management Plans cannot be confirmed. However every effort will be made to minimise the impact on the road network on all road users.

Will there be any environmental impact?

Surveys are being conducted to assess the impacts of the scheme on the local habitat. In general the scheme is not expected to have a significant negative impact on species or habitats along the route. Should the surveys identify species requiring protection an appropriate mitigation plan will be developed to reduce the impact of the proposed improvements.

Will access for pedestrians be maintained during the works?

Yes. Wherever possible, footpaths will be left open. If a footpath is going to be closed, we will provide advance notice.

Will the works affect my bus journey?

We will be liaising with all bus operators to ensure that the impact the works will have on their timetables can be managed.

Will emergency services be affected by this works?

We will be working closely with emergency services to ensure that the works have minimal impact on their operations.

Will any trees be removed?

One tree has been removed for the proposed development. The tree was categorised as a low-quality tree due to poor structural condition and limited remaining contribution. The loss will be mitigated through the implementation of a landscape design including the planting of a replacement tree.