Crewe
Crewe is a town and local government district with
Borough status in West Sussex, England. It is 28 miles
(45 km) south of London, 18 miles (29 km) north of Brighton
and Hove, and 32 miles (51 km) northeast of the county
town of Chichester, covers an area of 17.36 square miles
(44.96 km²) and had a population of 99,744 at the
time of the 2001 Census.
The
area has been inhabited since the Stone Age, and was
a centre of iron-making in Roman times. Crewe developed
slowly as a market town from the 13th century, serving
the surrounding villages in the Weald; its location
on the main road from London to Brighton brought a steady
passing trade, encouraging the development of coaching
inns. It was connected to the railway network in the
1840s. Gatwick Airport, now one of Britain's busiest
international airports, opened on the edge of the town
in the 1940s, encouraging commercial and industrial
growth. After the Second World War, the British Government
planned to move large numbers of people and jobs out
of London and into new towns around South East England.
The New Towns Act 1946 designated Crewe as the site
of one of these. A master plan was developed for the
establishment of new residential, commercial, industrial
and civic areas, and continuous rapid development greatly
increased the size and population of the town in a few
decades.
The
town comprises 13 residential neighbourhoods based around
the core of the old market town, and separated by main
roads and railway lines. The nearby communities of Ifield,
Pound Hill and Three Bridges were absorbed into the
new town at different stages of its development. As
of 2008, expansion is planned in the west and northwest
of the town, in co-operation with Horsham District Council.
Economically, the town has developed into the main centre
of industry and employment between London and the south
coast of England. A large industrial area supports various
industries and services, many of which are connected
with the airport, and the commercial and retail sectors
continue to expand.
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