As the new Labour government casts doubt over transport projects across the country, Julia Lopez MP has written to the new Transport Secretary asking her to commit to the renovation of the Gallows Corner flyover or risk safety and major road disruption.
In May of this year, the Conservative Government announced that TfL’s 2023 bid for £57m of the £67m to refurbish the flyover had been successful after initially being made eligible to apply for the grant in 2018.
This followed years of campaigning by Hornchurch & Upminster MP Julia Lopez, Assembly Member Keith Prince and Conservative campaigners.
Without the refurbishment, TfL warned the flyover could close as early as next year due to safety concerns. The closure would drastically increase local journey times while also impacting two major regional roads, the A12 and A127.
In her letter, the MP also explained that the closure could lead to “potentially dangerous consequences” for the accident hot spot.
Commenting on the letter, Mrs Lopez said:
“I’m deeply concerned about the future of the Gallows Corner flyover restoration following the DfT’s spending review announcement. I have been campaigning for these vital works with local activists since I was first elected and we achieved our first success in 2018, when the scheme was shortlisted for funding via the Major Road Scheme. Though TfL had been slow to make the most of this opportunity, May’s announcement confirmed that full funding was now in place.
“With their recent announcement of cuts to transport projects across the country, I am concerned that the Labour Government may break the cross-party consensus that the project had enjoyed. I hope that the new Labour Transport Secretary will reaffirm the new Government’s commitment to this vital infrastructure project.”
The MP is seeking a commitment from the Government to deliver the project, a timeline for the review and information on how the Department will decide which projects it retains.
