Funding for Broadfield Barton improvements '˜shows belief it can be reborn'

Morrisons closed its Broadfield store earlier this year and Tim Lunnon (Lab, Broadfield South) told Crawley Borough Council’s Cabinet that it had ‘severely affected trade’ in the shopping parade at a meeting last Wednesday night.

Councillors agreed to contribute an extra £50,000 towards improvements to ensure that they can go ahead.

Works include repaving, replacing the existing canopies and the lighting, and improving the CCTV system.

Mr Lunnon said the project ‘is the council saying they believe the Barton can be reborn’.

Peter Lamb (Lab, Northgate), leader of the council, said it ‘stuck in his craw’ that they had not only lost the £20,000 originally promised by Morrisons, but also the ensuing delay had seen £30,000 of additional costs added to the project.

Works are being jointly funded by CBC, Safer Crawley Partnership, and Broadfield Barton stakeholders.

Michael Jones (Lab, Bewbush), CBC’s cabinet member for public protection and community engagement, said: “While other neighbourhoods have seen their parades improved, Broadfield has had to wait. The time for waiting is over, I strongly believe it is Broadfield’s turn to benefit from this investment.

“Despite the land and buildings being owned privately, this remains a major shopping centre for the town, and we’re committed to improving Broadfield Barton for residents and visitors.”

The canopy replacement is expected to begin this autumn while the paving works could be completed by spring 2016.

According to the officers’ report the ‘current design of the Barton contributes to both perceived and actual anti-social behaviour, and fear of crime in and around the Barton is relatively high’.

Do you think the improvements to the Broadfield Barton are needed? Comment below or email the newsdesk.

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