Landbuild makes a royal sum with £1m business district deal

West Sussex County Council has awarded local firm Landbuild a £1m contract for the second phase of a highways improvement scheme for the Manor Royal Business District.

Highway improvements are being carried out to a total value of £3m under the £60m Crawley Growth Programme.

Phase 2 works include:

• improvement of public realm on the Manor Royal/Gatwick Road roundabout
• construction of an eastbound bus and cycle lane along Manor Royal
• improvements to crossing facilities along County Oak Way
• improvements to crossing facilities and regulation of traffic speed along Metcalf Way

The county council described the Crawley Growth Programme as a £60m package of improvements across the town to support business investment and employment growth, bringing together various partners including itself, Crawley Borough Council, Manor Royal BID and Coast to Capital.

Its cabinet member for the programme, Bob Lanzer (left of picture), said: ‘I am pleased to see this important part of the Crawley Growth Programme continue to make strong progress.

‘It is so important for a modern business district like Manor Royal to emphasise that the public highway is a shared space for all road users. That principle is emphatically asserted by this progressive project.’

Peter Smith, deputy leader and cabinet member for planning and economic development at Crawley BC (right of picture), said: ‘These improvements to the active travel infrastructure along Manor Royal should allow people the option of choosing the bus or to cycle rather than sitting in the all too frequent queues!

‘I hope that this will also encourage people to choose a more active lifestyle for their health and wellbeing.’

Pulborough-based Landbuild says it offers a comprehensive range of civil engineering and construction services.

West Sussex CC said construction of the Phase 2 works is expected to start in the spring.