Earlier this week, Julia Lopez met with the Chief Executive of Essex & Suffolk Water to discuss the current situation in relation to Gallows Corner. To find out more about the meeting, watch her video above.
Commenting on social media, Julia said:
Gallows Corner Update – Meeting with Essex & Suffolk Water Chief Exec
Yesterday I met Heidi Mottram, Chief Executive of Essex & Suffolk Water, to discuss the ongoing delays at Gallows Corner. Here's what came out of the meeting:
- I was joined by my parliamentary colleague, Mark Francois MP, as many of his constituents also use Gallows Corner to commute into London.
- We made it clear that public frustration has reached boiling point. The works have now been ongoing for over a year, despite TfL originally indicating they would be completed by last September.
- Residents and businesses have paid the price for these delays through wasted time, increased costs and lost trade. Some businesses have even closed. This level of disruption is unacceptable.
- Essex & Suffolk Water has now located the leak in the newly installed water main. They stressed that although there may not appear to be much activity on site, engineers are now working inside the pipe itself to carry out the repairs. Their current expectation is to complete the repairs by the end of July, followed by testing through August before the site is handed back to TfL.
- TfL requested the diversion of the water main and is funding the work. While there was a case for preventing future disruption by replacing the pipe now, there are serious questions about whether that was necessary and the staggering amount it will have cost.
- That money could instead have supported wider transport improvements, including step-free access at Hornchurch and Upminster Bridge stations or better north-south bus links across the borough.
- With TfL preparing for major works at the A13 Lodge Avenue flyover, it is essential they learn fast from Gallows Corner to avoid another prolonged and costly disruption.
I will continue pressing TfL, Essex & Suffolk Water and everyone involved for answers, accountability and the earliest possible completion of these works.
