Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed that it has taken steps to minimise disruption from the Gallows Corner flyover works, after Hornchurch & Upminster MP, Julia Lopez, shared feedback on the impact of works on local residents and businesses. 

After meeting with an affected local business, Mrs Lopez wrote to TfL and the Leader of Havering Council to raise concerns about the impact of road closures and increased congestion on businesses located near the works. She highlighted the challenges faced by newly established organisations that are already seeing a drop in trade due to reduced access and visibility. 

In response, TfL have sought to provide assurances to Mrs Lopez that residents' concerns have been heard and that they have been working closely with local businesses to mitigate the impact of the essential upgrade works.  

The organisation confirmed that it has consulted directly with affected businesses, including those on the Avenue Industrial Estate, to help maintain access for deliveries and operations. A dedicated on-site contact has also been appointed to provide practical assistance during the closure. 

TfL confirmed that they have upped their communications to make motorists aware that nearby businesses remain open, with new business continuity messages now being integrated into their travel advice.  

Letters have been issued to nearly 11,000 residents and over 300 businesses, alongside a wider campaign involving social media, email updates and targeted marketing activity. 

TfL has reiterated that it planned the works to coincide with the quieter summer period and worked with Essex and Suffolk Water to avoid multiple road closures. Traffic flows are now beginning to stabilise following the full closure of the flyover in late June. 

Mrs Lopez continues to liaise with TfL, Havering Council and City Hall to ensure that local businesses remain supported throughout the remainder of the project. 

See the full response below: 

Thank you for your email regarding Gallows Corner Flyover. 

I also want to thank your constituents for their patience during the first phase of works and now the full closure which commenced on 23 June. I understand roads have been busy and the disruption the works are causing for people needing to plan their journeys, and local businesses needing to adapt their operations. After the initial impact of the closure, TfL is now reporting traffic is settling down as expected. The Network Management team are now monitoring the traffic on a business-as-usual basis which reflects this improvement. 

TfL has planned these essential works to have the minimum impact possible, including carrying out the most impactful works over the summer holidays when traffic flows are lower. Additionally, TfL co-ordinated the works with Essex and Suffolk Water to have one major shut down rather than two separate closures. This approach ensures the works can be completed as quickly as possible, minimising the period of disruption. 

TfL has worked hard to engage with local businesses and residents over the past few months. This has included undertaking a wide-ranging communications campaign to communicate the works programme and travel advice to both local and more widely impacted customers and businesses. 

Letters to just under 11,000 local residents and over 300 local businesses recently went out with confirmation of how the closure will work, as well as bespoke customer emails, social media posts, a targeted marketing campaign and a travel advice webpage. 

Communications have been coordinated with the London Borough of Havering, who have amplified our key messages and further shared information through their own channels. TfL and I appreciate the support your office has provided in similarly engaging with constituents. 

I want to assure you and business owners that TfL takes the impact on local businesses extremely seriously. TfL and its contractor for the Gallows Corner works, Costain, have consulted with businesses that are most affected, including supporting businesses to make plans to modify operations like deliveries during the closure. All businesses were sent a survey to establish access and delivery information to inform TfL’s logistic plans. Direct engagement with the Avenue Industrial Estate, for example, has been constructive, with joint visits conducted to businesses on the estate. TfL has a dedicated resource on site who can be contacted to arrange assisted deliveries (with notice) and any other help they may need through-out the closure. 

TfL has added business continuity messaging to diversion signage so that people know that businesses are open and trading as usual. I would like to assure you that TfL and Costain have been meeting with local stakeholders multiple times per week to both track and respond to issues that are being raised, as quickly as possible. 

Once again, thank you to you and your constituents for your patience during these essential works.