Minister applauds street's makeover

She said it was a fine example of improved services achieved through partnership and local consultation. Crawley High Street is one of more than 50 pilot schemes for the Government's Best Value initiative to improve the standard of services to local people.

Ms Hughes said: "Best Value is a continuous drive to improve public services based on partnership between local people, councils and businesses and all other stakeholders."

She was accompanied by Crawley MP Laura Moffatt and met Michael Sander, Crawley Borough Council chief executive, Derek Dewdney, West Sussex County Council deputy leader and highways and transport chairman, and other local councillors.

She popped into shops and the George Hotel to talk to local business people about the improvements. The street has been pedestrianised with one lane of traffic replacing the old two-lane road. It has distinctive lighting, seats and other street furniture, designed by local people, and a cycle track.

Ms Hughes said: "It is great to see that such a difference has been made to people's lives in this area as the result of the Best Value partnership between Crawley Council and West Sussex County Council.

"Not only does the area look extremely attractive, but incidents of violence have fallen and business has increased. These are the sort of issues the Best Value drive has to address and it is great to see it in action."

Crawley Borough Council's community safety officer, Don Edwardson, pointed out four safety measures included in the design, new lighting preventing dark spots, a 20mph speed limit, a CCTV camera which is about to be installed and notches on the bike racks to prevent skateboarders using them as ramps.

Ms Hughes earlier spoke at a seminar in the town about the scheme to local government officers from throughout the South-East.

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