At a glance
• Repairs to the A12 Gallows Corner flyover in Romford, originally due for completion in September 2025, have been delayed by at least six months, with TfL now expecting completion by spring 2026 due to issues with water main replacement
• The continued closure—allowing only buses, taxis, and emergency vehicles—has caused widespread congestion across east London and sparked frustration at poor communication from TfL
• TfL and Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan insist the works are essential for safety and long-term reliability, but critics have called for compensation for businesses
Drivers face at least six more months of chaos after a “farcical” delay in completing repairs to a major junction in east London.
The upgrade to the flyover at Gallows Corner in Romford, part of the A12 between the North Circular Road and the M25, began in June and should have been completed by September.
But Transport for London and Essex and Suffolk Water have announced that the work will take at least another six months to finish – sparking anger and frustration from local politicians and businesses.
The impact of the closure has a knock-on impact for miles around and has resulted in even longer tailbacks than normal on the North Circular.
Drivers heading to or from the M11 have been advised to use the M25 and the A13.
TfL said: “We now expect to complete Gallows Corner junction works by Spring 2026. The flyover will reopen to general traffic first, with the roundabout and surrounding roads reopening in the following weeks.
“Until then, the junction is closed to all vehicle traffic except emergency services, black cabs, and Transport for London buses, while works continue.
“Re-opening has been delayed by unforeseen problems completing a water main replacement that is being carried out at the same time, which has delayed some aspects of the flyover renewal.”
Keith Prince, the London Assembly for Havering and Redbridge, said businesses had been left in “complete limbo” due to a repeated lack of information from TfL.
Mr Prince, who represents the Reform party, said: “Not only were local businesses and residents told these works would be completed by September this year, but they have also been left waiting for clarity since TfL delayed the completion date for refurbishment in August.
“At a recent meeting I had with TfL and Essex and Suffolk Water, they committed to announce a new completion date by the end of October which they then said had to be delayed another week and now we are finally told that this fiasco will not end for at least another five months.”
He plans to raise the matter with London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan at City Hall next week, and said he would be demanding compensation for businesses.
Initial work began to strengthen the 1970s flyover in March, with the second phase starting on June 23.
The junction and roundabout were closed to enable the flyover to be dismantled, without only buses, taxis and emergency vehicles allowed to drive through the area.
The aim of the work, which is being funded by TfL and the Department for Transport’s major road network programme, is to future-proof the flyover and enable speed and weight restrictions to be lifted.
In addition, new pedestrian and cycle crossings are being introduced at the roundabout.
The original plan was to complete the work during the summer period, when traffic tends to be lighter.
Essex and Suffolk Water began essential water mains replacement works alongside the A127 during the closure.
When Mr Prince raised earlier concerns about the project with Sir Sadiq in September, the mayor admitted that TfL’s communication had not been good enough.
But he said the renewal of the flyover was “essential to ensuring the safety and reliability of the road network in Havering and indeed across east London”.
Sir Sadiq said: “Gallows Corner flyover was originally built in the 1970s as a temporary structure and ensuring that this asset is in good order is vital to keep our city moving.
“These essential works will enable larger vehicles to use the flyover again. TfL, working with its contractor Costain, is pressing ahead to complete the work as quickly and safely as possible.
“There has been good progress made on the flyover itself, with the final span removed in early August, but unforeseen problems with the condition of the ground around the water main have unfortunately delayed that part of the works and this in turn has affected the overall timeline.”
Havering council leader Cllr Ray Morgon said: “After months of uncertainty, it is encouraging to finally have a clearer sense of when this vital junction will reopen to our community.
“However, I must express my deep disappointment that the delays mean Gallows Corner will not be reopened in time for Christmas.
“This news will come as a blow to residents and businesses who have already endured significant disruption for far too long and have told us of their anger at the delays.
“The closure has affected daily life, local businesses, schools, emergency services, and public transport, and has delayed the delivery of the council’s wider highways programmes. The pain and frustration felt across Havering is very real and cannot be understated.”
TfL said it had a revised "three-phase programme" to get the work finished by "Spring 2026".
The flyover will be the first to reopen, followed by the roundabout and the surrounding roads "in the following weeks". Nine of the 13 bridge sections have already been installed.
It blamed "unforeseen ground conditions around the water main" for the delays and the discovery of two uncharted gas mains, which engineers have to work around.
TfL said that during excavation, engineers encountered pockets of shale - meaning they had to devise an alternative tunnelling method, as the ground could not support a self-sustaining tunnel.
"This affected the diversion of a critical 36-inch water main which pre-dated the temporary flyover, resulting in it lying within the area of the structure’s foundations," TfL said. "The diversion of this pipe is a key step in enabling the new structure."
Phase one will involve the completion of the bridge sections over the roundabout and the installation of the water main alongside it.
Phase two will involve the water firm working “outward” from the roundabout to complete the eastern and western stretches of the water main, navigating three culverts beneath the structure.
During this phase, Costain will complete foundation works and install the final bridge sections at the eastern end.
Waterproofing and surfacing will follow, allowing the flyover to reopen to traffic in spring 2026. Access to the roundabout will remain restricted, except for existing exemptions.
The third phase, involving final diversions to the water main and other work, including highway improvements to the A127, will enable the roundabout and surrounding roads to be reopened.
Scott Haxton, TfL’s director of capital delivery, said: “We understand how disruptive this has been, and we’re working with our partners to complete the project as quickly and safely as possible.”
Alastair Tawn, head of integrated delivery services at Essex & Suffolk Water, said: “We appreciate the importance of this busy road interchange and are sorry for the inconvenience caused.
“However, I can reassure people who live, work and drive in the area, that this remains a priority for us and our team continue to make good progress in line with our new programme.”
Marcus Hollan, senior project manager at Costain, said: “Our teams will be working extended hours, including through the Christmas period, to complete the required additional works at this complex site as quickly as possible without compromising on safety and quality.”
