The second phase of a £32 million bus highway linking Crawley and Gatwick is now underway.

But building the link spells more traffic misery for the town's residents and commuters.

Southgate Avenue, one of the main routes into Crawley, has been a traffic bottleneck for months while contractors dig out the new Fastway 'smart bus' lane.

Now it is the turn of areas around County Mall, Station Way and Haslett Avenue.

Contractors Edmund Nuttall have been told they must complete the shopping centre roadworks before the start of the Christmas rush in mid November.

Alan Taylor, Nuttall's contacts manager, said: "Careful planning has been taking place to ensure that traffic management is a priority and that the public and local community is kept fully informed of progress.

"We are committed to maintaining clear and open communications with local residents and businesses throughout the work."

The work will include removal of roundabouts and insertions of light controlled junctions on Station Way and Haslett Avenue.

Then London Road, Manor Royal and the Tushmnore Roundabout will be targeted to provide a southbound bus lane which will connect directly with London Road.

Phase One of the project will be completed in July and the route will be tested throughout the summer.

The Fastway Partners - including BAA Gatwick, West Sussex County Council, Metrobus and British Airways - are hoping to run the first service from September 1.

Wednesday June 4, 2003