Gallows Corner Flyover Delays Spark Havering Fury 2026

Key Points

• Havering Council has described the delays in reopening Gallows Corner flyover as “extremely disappointing” and a “farce”.
• Transport for London (TfL) confirmed it will miss the 30 April 2026 reopening due to additional work by Essex & Suffolk Water (ESW) on water mains.
• Work on replacing the ageing flyover and repairing the roundabout began last March 2025, initially set to reopen in September 2025.
• Scott Haxton, TfL’s Director of Capital Delivery, stated all significant TfL works are complete, but ESW identified further testing needs for the water main.
• ESW has apologised for the delays.
• TfL expressed being “very sorry” to residents facing commuter chaos and is exploring partial reopening.
• Havering Chief Executive Andrew Blake-Herbert criticised ESW for underestimating work time and failing to test pipes adequately.
• Residents have launched a petition calling for accountability and compensation due to ongoing disruptions.
• Multiple prior deadlines missed, including September 2025, Christmas 2025, and April 2026.

Gallows Corner, Havering (East London Times) April 29, 2026 – Transport for London (TfL) has apologised to residents over the latest delays at Gallows Corner flyover, confirming the junction will not reopen by the promised 30 April date as Essex & Suffolk Water (ESW) requires more time on water main works.

Havering Council labelled the situation “extremely disappointing” and a “farce” after the closure, initially planned for a few months, stretched beyond a year.

Why the Latest Reopening Deadline Has Been Missed?

As reported by BBC News, TfL stated it cannot meet the 30 April target because ESW has more work on the water mains. Scott Haxton, TfL’s Director of Capital Delivery, said last week that “all significant TfL works” had been completed but ESW

“identified further work needed to ensure the water main is fully assured”

during testing.

In a statement to The Havering Daily, TfL added:

“We are working together with ESW to ensure this vital work can be done at pace and we are exploring whether a partial reopening may be possible in the meantime”.

TfL also said it is “very sorry” to residents facing continued commuter chaos.

ESW has apologised for the delays, as noted across reports.

What Has Havering Council Said About the Delays?

Havering’s Chief Executive Andrew Blake-Herbert said:

“Considering the closure was only supposed to last a few months, it has now become a bit of a farce”.

He added:

“It’s clear that ESW grossly underestimated the time their works would take and failed to factor in adequate time for testing the new water pipes, and it’s Havering residents and businesses who continue to pay the price for their failure”.

As per The Havering Daily on 28 April 2026, Andrew Blake-Herbert stated:

“As a council, we are extremely disappointed with yet another delay in the completion and opening of Gallows Corner”.

Earlier, in a September 2025 statement on havering.gov.uk, the council noted:

“We learnt that the bulk of the delay is due to issues encountered with the parallel project by ESW, specifically those arising from the water mains diversion being undertaken. While we appreciate the importance of renewing strategic water mains… we are extremely concerned that complications encountered during tunnelling… are now resulting in significant slippage for completion of the flyover”.

In February 2026, Havering Council welcomed the then-April 2026 date, stating:

“This is critical to future proof Havering’s water supply… We will continue to keep TfL and ESW under close scrutiny… This revised date must be honoured”.

How Did the Gallows Corner Project Begin and Face Early Delays?

Work began in March 2025 on replacing the ageing flyover and repairing the busy roundabout, part of the A12 in Romford. The junction fully closed to normal traffic on 23 June 2025 for demolition and rebuild, expected to reopen in September 2025.

Delays mounted due to contamination, structural issues, and utility works. By November 2025, TfL pushed completion to spring 2026, citing underground discoveries during water main replacement.

Councillor Ray Morgan announced at a June 2025 council meeting, as detailed by James Hargreaves of the Havering Daily, that structural engineering challenges showed unforeseen corrosion in flyover supports.

In November 2025, TfL announced a new timeline, with a council statement noting:

“Following extensive pressure… we now have some clarity… However, I must express my deep disappointment that the delays mean Gallows Corner will not be reopened in time for Christmas”.

Andrew Rosindell MP for Romford said in August 2025:

“Despite repeated assurances from Transport for London (TfL), the ongoing closure… has caused immense disruption to our community. Local businesses are suffering, residents are facing longer and more stressful journeys, and the economic damage is mounting by the day”.

What Impacts Are Residents and Businesses Experiencing?

Residents report daily gridlock, with journeys taking significantly longer for work, school runs, and shopping. The closure affects routes through Romford, Harold Wood, and Gidea Park.

Local businesses face reduced accessibility, delivery delays, and falling footfall. As covered by East London Times, frustration has led to demands for transparency from councillors like Philippa Crowder, who said:

“Residents are at breaking point. Every day, people are stuck in traffic for hours”.

Cllr John Crowder added:

“This affects thousands of people every single day. It’s not just an inconvenience — it’s a major disruption to local life and the local economy”.

A petition launched in April 2026 calls for accountability, a firm date, and partial council tax refunds for delays beyond September 2025.

What Progress Has TfL and ESW Made on Site?

TfL confirms the flyover is structurally complete, with capital works finished. ESW has progressed on the complex water main diversion but found testing issues.

A leaked email reported by The Havering Daily on 23 April 2026 stated:

“Essex & Suffolk Water have encountered technical issues with the strategic water main, which means that the water main works…”.

Havering Residents Association councillors Paul McGeary, Philippa Crowder, and John Crowder called for updates.

Background of the Gallows Corner Development

Gallows Corner is a key junction where the A12 meets the A118 and B175 in Romford, Havering. The project refurbishes the life-expired flyover to extend its life and diverts ESW’s strategic water main to secure supply for thousands of households.

TfL aims to improve safety and capacity on this high-traffic route linking to employment and retail areas. Initial closures in June 2025 led to queues bounded by M25, M11, and A13. Havering Council has monitored since, pressing amid complaints.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Havering Residents and Businesses

Further delays mean prolonged commutes for Havering residents on routes through Romford and Gidea Park, extending times for school runs and work. A partial reopening could ease some gridlock on detours.

Businesses near the junction may see ongoing reduced footfall and delivery issues if full access lags. Completion would enhance safety and flow for daily users, but repeated misses sustain uncertainty in planning.