Hornchurch and Upminster MP Julia Lopez has written again to London’s Deputy Mayor for Transport, Seb Dance, expressing disappointment that Transport for London has failed to deliver on its commitment to provide clear timescales for the Gallows Corner flyover refurbishment by the end of October. 

In her letter, Mrs Lopez said the continued delays and lack of communication have severely damaged public confidence in TfL’s handling of the project, which has already caused major disruption to residents and local businesses. 

She also criticised the Deputy Mayor for neglecting to address her earlier request that the Mayor’s Office contact the Valuation Office Agency to explore business rate relief for firms affected by the closure. 

Mrs Lopez said: 

“TfL made a clear commitment to share timescales by the end of this month, and it is extremely disappointing that this has once again been pushed back. Confidence in this project is now incredibly low and people are tired of broken promises. We need firm dates, not further delays.” 

She added: 

“The Deputy Mayor’s failure to even reference support for local businesses is unacceptable. Traders near Gallows Corner have faced months of disruption through no fault of their own and deserve more than vague reassurances. The Mayor’s Office must step in and get TfL to deliver a clear timetable and proper support.” 

Mrs Lopez has urged the Mayor’s Office to intervene urgently to secure a definitive schedule for the remaining work and to ensure that businesses affected by the ongoing closure receive meaningful assistance.

Read Deputy Mayor Dance's letter below.

Julia's response to Deputy Mayor Dance's letter:

Dear Deputy Mayor,

Thank you for your letter and for the update on the Gallows Corner flyover refurbishment. I welcome that TfL, Essex and Suffolk Water and Costain are treating the works as a priority and that progress continues on site.

However, I must express my disappointment that a clear commitment to provide timescales by the end of this month has now been pushed back. This further delay in providing even an outline commitment - let alone clear dates - is extending the misery of residents and local businesses who have already endured extended disruption and mounting costs and do not have any sense whatsoever about when that might end.

The repeated postponement has materially undermined public confidence in TfL’s handling of this project. Confidence is now incredibly low and that is a serious concern. People need more than reassurances. They need dated milestones so they can plan and so local firms can make informed decisions about staffing, deliveries and trading.

I was also disappointed to note that your letter made no reference at all to my earlier request that the Mayor’s Office contact the Valuation Office Agency to explore potential business rate relief for those affected by the closure. Given the significant impact on local traders, I would be grateful if you could confirm whether any such contact has been made and what further steps are being taken to provide support of any form to affected businesses.

I ask the Mayor’s Office to intervene urgently and to press TfL to publish a clear and detailed programme for the remaining work, including specific target dates for reopening the roundabout and the flyover and when new traffic arrangements that allow greater vehicle flow might be ready in the meantime. I also request confirmation of what steps will be taken to support businesses suffering from the prolonged closure.

This matter is one of acute local importance and we need an indication that the Mayor understands that and is acting accordingly.

With kind regards,

Julia.