Release date: 18 November 2025
A new extension to the bus lanes in Manor Royal has officially opened, helping buses beat the traffic and get passengers where they need to go faster.
Delivered through West Sussex County Council’s (WSCC) Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) and funded by the Department for Transport, this latest upgrade to Manor Royal completes the improvement works started in 2021. Through BSIP, the council was awarded £17.4 million over three years to improve bus journeys within the county. £2.67 million of that has been used for this final phase of bus lane infrastructure in Crawley.
Through partnership between WSCC, Metrobus, Manor Royal Business Improvement District (BID), and the Crawley Growth Programme via Crawley Borough Council, a total of 1.3kms of bus lanes has been installed in the area via different programmes.
Approximately 170,000 bus movements and up to 3.4 million bus journeys annually are anticipated to benefit from the newly introduced bus lanes. Metrobus is already seeing the impact, with buses saving an average of three minutes during the busiest times, making journeys quicker and more reliable for passengers.
Cllr Joy Dennis, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at West Sussex County Council, said: “Focusing on improvements to make our infrastructure better and the buses quicker make travelling by public transport a more attractive option for people to head to work, the shop, or for a day out with family, or even for a flight from Gatwick to somewhere further afield such as Cape Town, Toronto, or Paris.
“This project, alongside projects led by our partners in Crawley, such as the unveiling of the Manor Royal Superhub, has highlighted what can happen when organisations work collaboratively. Together, we contributed and delivered improvements that benefit not just bus passengers but also boost businesses in Manor Royal and the local economy.
“I am proud of the work we have delivered through BSIP, and of our partnership with Metrobus, Manor Royal BID, Crawley Growth Programme and Crawley Borough Council. Improving bus services across the county is vital to Our Council Plan priority of promoting a sustainable and prosperous economy. This project and partnership have supported us in remaining committed to that.”
Road and Buses Minister Simon Lightwood said: “We’re empowering local leaders to make their bus services faster and more reliable, which is why I am delighted to see the benefits of this bus lane extension, backed by over £2.5 million in Government funding, already shaving minutes off journey times in Crawley.
“This follows our Bus Services Act becoming law, finally putting power into local hands to meet the needs of their communities, growing the economy and boosting access to opportunity as part of our Plan for Change.”
Cllr Atif Nawaz, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development at Crawley Borough Council said: “The completion of this bus lane extension in Manor Royal is a step forward for sustainable transport in Crawley. By improving journey times and reliability, we’re making bus travel a more attractive option for residents and employees, reducing congestion and supporting our local economy. This project shows what can be achieved through strong partnership working, and we’re pleased to see the benefits already being felt by passengers.”
Nick Hill, Metrobus Commercial Director, shares: “With the completion of this transformative scheme on Manor Royal, the new bus lane means our services can bypass congestion during peak times, significantly improving reliability and journey times for passengers. By making bus travel quicker and more attractive, we’re encouraging a shift from car to bus, reducing traffic and emissions in the Crawley area.”
Steve Sawyer, Executive Director at Manor Royal BID, added: “The completion of the full length dedicated bus lane along Manor Royal road satisfies one of the key priorities identified by Metrobus in the Manor Royal Transport Study. It is also the product of an excellent partnership that has grown up between West Sussex County Council, Crawley Borough Council, Metrobus and the Manor Royal BID that has delivered so many improvements throughout the Business District including the superhub, park areas, junction improvements, new crossings and so much more. It is a testimony to what can be achieved through shared vision and coordinated effort. We have much to celebrate and I hope to build on this to deliver further improvements in the future."
