Gallows Corner Delays: Havering Frustration Mounts Over TfL, Water Works

Key Points

• Gallows Corner in Havering has become a major source of frustration for local residents due to prolonged roadworks delays.
• The project, originally scheduled to finish in September 2025, remains far from completion as of January 2026, extending disruption for months beyond expectations.
• Delays are primarily attributed to works by Essex and Suffolk Water, which have not provided a clear phased programme or response to inquiries.
• Havering and Redbridge Reform Greater London Assembly Member Keith Prince has been lobbying Transport for London (TfL), the Mayor of London, and Essex and Suffolk Water for resolution.
• Residents and local businesses face ongoing congestion, limited access, and disruptions to daily life and commerce.
• Photos of the site indicate significant work still remains, fuelling growing impatience among the community.
• Keith Prince demands clear communication, certainty on reopening dates, and continued pressure on all parties until completion.

Gallows Corner, Havering (The Havering Daily) January 21, 2026 – Residents and businesses in Havering are enduring mounting frustration as roadworks at Gallows Corner drag on with no clear end in sight, well beyond the original September 2025 completion date. The delays, linked to utility works by Essex and Suffolk Water, have caused persistent congestion and restricted access, severely impacting daily life and local commerce. Havering and Redbridge Reform Greater London Assembly Member Keith Prince has voiced strong criticism, highlighting his unsuccessful efforts to secure timelines from the involved parties.

Why Are Gallows Corner Roadworks Taking So Long?

The roadworks at Gallows Corner were initially slated to conclude in September 2025, yet as of January 2026, significant portions remain incomplete. As reported in The Havering Daily, the primary cause stems from unforeseen utility interventions by Essex and Suffolk Water, which have extended the project’s timeline indefinitely. Residents report that the disruption has persisted for months longer than anticipated, transforming a routine improvement scheme into a prolonged ordeal.

Photos of the site, referenced in the coverage, reveal extensive remaining work, including ongoing excavations and barriers that choke traffic flow. This has not only exacerbated congestion but also limited access to nearby areas, affecting commuters, school runs, and essential services. Local businesses, reliant on steady footfall and deliveries, continue to suffer from diverted routes and reduced visibility.

What Has Keith Prince Said About the Delays?

Havering and Redbridge Reform Greater London Assembly Member Keith Prince has been at the forefront of efforts to address the impasse. As told exclusively to The Havering Daily, Keith Prince stated:

“I have been tirelessly lobbying TfL and the Mayor of London to get the works at Gallows Corner finished.”

He further elaborated on the root of the problem, pinpointing Essex and Suffolk Water’s role. Keith Prince continued:

“The reason for delays has been down to works by Essex and Suffolk Water. They promised me and others that they would get back to us with a phased programme, laying out clearly the dates when we could expect each phase to finish and there being increased access on the completion of each phase.”

Prince expressed frustration over the lack of follow-through, noting:

“I have been trying to get a meeting with them to find out when we can expect the works to come to an end and get the phase dates, but they are not responding.”

His comments underscore a broader call for accountability from utility providers and transport authorities.

How Are Residents and Businesses Being Affected?

The prolonged closure has turned Gallows Corner into a bottleneck, with residents voicing growing impatience over the lack of progress. Traffic snarls have become a daily reality, forcing longer journeys and heightening stress for those living nearby. As detailed in The Havering Daily’s on-the-ground reporting, the disruption extends beyond motorists to pedestrians and cyclists, with limited access routes complicating everyday errands.

Local businesses report tangible losses, from cancelled appointments to deterred customers unwilling to navigate the chaos. The article highlights how the works have disrupted not just commutes but entire livelihoods, with shop owners and service providers adapting to unpredictable schedules. One resident, quoted indirectly through community sentiment in the piece, captured the exasperation: the situation has left people struggling amid congestion that shows no signs of abating.

This ripple effect amplifies the urgency, as the delays compound issues like emergency vehicle access and public transport reliability in an already busy Havering thoroughfare.

What Actions Is Keith Prince Taking to Resolve This?

Keith Prince remains committed to pushing for resolution. In addition to his lobbying of TfL and the Mayor of London, he is directly targeting Essex and Suffolk Water. As he affirmed to The Havering Daily:

“I will continue to lobby TfL, the Mayor and Essex and Suffolk Water to get these works finished so local people and businesses can return to normality after months of disruption.”

His approach emphasises persistence and transparency. Keith Prince added:

“We all want to see these works completed as quickly as possible. Residents deserve clear communication and certainty about when Gallows Corner will be fully open again. I will continue to press all parties involved until the job is finished.”

These statements reflect a proactive stance, positioning Prince as a vocal advocate amid official silence from the utility firm and transport bodies. No responses from TfL, the Mayor’s office, or Essex and Suffolk Water were included in the reporting, leaving Prince’s efforts as the primary channel for public updates.

When Will Gallows Corner Roadworks Finally End?

As local frustrations mount, attention now centres on a concrete timeline, yet none has been forthcoming. The Havering Daily notes that Essex and Suffolk Water’s unfulfilled promise of a phased programme leaves the community in limbo, with no official dates for phase completions or full reopening. Photos evidencing substantial remaining work reinforce the uncertainty, suggesting weeks or potentially months more of inconvenience.

Keith Prince’s ongoing pressure may yet yield results, but the lack of response from key players indicates no immediate relief. Residents are urged to stay informed through local channels, as developments could shift rapidly if lobbying bears fruit.

What Broader Lessons Can Be Drawn from Gallows Corner?

This saga at Gallows Corner exemplifies recurring challenges in UK infrastructure projects, where utility coordination often leads to overruns. The Havering Daily’s coverage serves as a cautionary tale for similar schemes across Greater London, highlighting the need for robust contingency planning and real-time stakeholder communication. Businesses and residents alike call for better integration between transport authorities and utility providers to prevent future disruptions.

In Havering, the incident has galvanised local representation, with Keith Prince’s interventions providing a focal point for grievance. As the project lingers, it underscores the human cost of delays in essential public works, from economic strain to eroded trust in public services.