- 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
Work started on the Western Boulevard scheme on 13 March. Works will continue to take place weekdays between 8am and 6pm for the duration of the works.
Temporary one-way system for The Boulevard
As part of the ongoing works, on the western section of The Boulevard there will be a temporary, one-way traffic management system installed on the morning of Monday 10 June. This will be in operation for the remainder of the works, which are currently earmarked for completion by the end of November. 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.
For further details, please see a map of the one-way system being implemented provided at the bottom of the page.
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. 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.
There will also be a fully signed diversion route, which will provide an alternative means for traffic to access the western section of The Boulevard. The signed diversion route will require traffic from the Northgate Avenue roundabout to access the western section of The Boulevard by following College Road, Station Way, and Pegler Way.
The Boulevard will remain open at all times to eastbound traffic travelling from the High Street junction all the way along The Boulevard to the Northgate Avenue roundabout.
If you have any queries or comments about the scheme, please contact economic.development@crawley.gov.uk.
Western Boulevard scheme frequently asked questions
For further information about the Western Boulevard scheme see below.
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.
The scheme covers the western end of the Boulevard in the town centre.
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
Through the Crawley Growth Programme; Crawley Borough Council is the lead authority for this project.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yes. Wherever possible, footpaths will be left open. If a footpath is going to be closed, we will provide advance notice.
We will be liaising with all bus operators to ensure that the impact the works will have on their timetables can be managed.
We will be working closely with emergency services to ensure that the works have minimal impact on their operations.
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.