Manor Royal cycle route improvements
Crawley Borough Council, Manor Royal Business Improvement District and Basepoint Business Centre have been working together to deliver improvements to the well-used cycle route that links Ifield Railway Station with Manor Royal Business District as part of the Community Safety Improvements Programme (COMSIP).
The improvement works, which were completed mid September, came forward following requests made by a number of Crawley residents and businesses who expressed concerns that the pathway wasn’t well lit which was deterring people from using it as a route to work.
The project, which has been jointly-funded by the council, Manor Royal BID and Basepoint, has installed new street lighting to improve safety and visibility along the stretch of path linking Langley Walk and Metcalf Way.
COMSIP is an important programme for the council as it’s vital to help residents feel safe and secure in their town. The programme is intended to secure a range of small-scale physical improvements to the built environment.
The works have delivered surfacing improvements as well as new signage and markings along the route, creating a safer and more user-friendly experience.
Councillor Michael Jones, Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: “This is a well-used cycle path and these improvements will make a massive difference for those who use it regularly. We want the people of Crawley to feel safe when they are cycling and walking to work and by improving the environment we hope that more people will do so.”
Steve Sawyer, Executive Director at Manor Royal Business Improvement District, said: ”Around 83,000 people of working age live within the cycling catchment of Manor Royal and yet only just over two per cent actually do. As part of a wider programme of improvements this project will improve the quality of this important link and help ease traffic and parking issues while supporting staff health and well-being.”
Basepoint is home to more than 60 small businesses and start-up companies. Stephanie George, Centre Manager for Basepoint, said: “Feedback from the large number of businesses and their employees based at Basepoint Crawley showed a real need for these plans, with many people saying they would use the cycle route if it was improved. We’re delighted to support the project to make the cycle path safer and more accessible for all users.”
Pictured from left to right: Cllr Geraint Thomas, Steve Sawyer (Manor Royal), Stephanie George (Basepoint), Cllr Michael Jones and Cllr Peter Smith