Transport for London (TfL) has announced that the long-awaited refurbishment of the Gallows Corner flyover will commence on 10 March. This significant infrastructure project, greenlit for funding in 2018 by the Conservative government, is the result of extensive lobbying efforts by Julia Lopez, MP for Hornchurch & Upminster.
The Gallows Corner flyover, originally constructed as a temporary structure in the 1970s, has been in urgent need of renewal. The refurbishment will ensure the long-term safety and efficiency of the local transport network, addressing the current speed and weight restrictions that have been in place for several years.
Mrs Lopez and local conservatives have been lobbying to get the project over the line ever since the previous Conservative Transport Minister, Chris Grayling, announced the scheme would get £50m of funding in 2018..
Since 2018, TfL have explored several potential options for the site and during that period Mrs Lopez has worked with TfL and the Government to ensure the scheme has retained support.
In May 2024 the Conservative Transport Secretary, Guy Opperman, approved the outline business case from TfL which all but guaranteed the £58m worth of funding for the scheme.
Since then, Mrs Lopez has lobbied the new Labour Government persistently to ensure the Government did not cancel the project following their announcement of a capital spending freeze. Now the final business case has been accepted by the Government, with construction due to begin on 10 March.
In a statement, Mrs Lopez said:
"I am glad to report that the long-awaited refurbishment of the Gallows Corner flyover will start on 10 March. This 'temporary' structure has been in place for over 50 years, and its renewal is crucial to ensure the safety and efficiency of our local transport network. There will be disruption but my fear has always been the greater disruption and chaos of the total closure of the flyover if it was deemed no longer safe – something TfL told us was an imminent risk.
"For seven years I have persistently lobbied TfL and Government ministers for this vital project and I look forward to seeing works commence soon. I am grateful for the support we have received from residents and the previous Conservative Government that made the redevelopment possible. I would also like to pay tribute to local Conservative GLA Member, Keith Prince AM, and Havering Conservatives, whose hard work have been vital in making this project a reality."
The refurbishment project will involve the complete renewal and replacement of the entire structure, except for its foundations. New pedestrian and cycle crossings will be installed, and road markings and resurfacing will be improved to enhance journey time reliability for thousands of people traveling through the area.
TfL has outlined a phased approach to the works, with lane closures beginning on 10 March and continuing until June 2025. A full closure of the junction is planned from June to September 2025, with overnight lane closures for resurfacing works scheduled from September 2025.
Residents and commuters are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys during the construction period. Full travel advice is available on the TfL website.
This major refurbishment project marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to improve the safety and efficiency of the local transport network, ensuring that the Gallows Corner flyover can continue to serve the community for decades to come.
