The Gallows Corner flyover in Romford will reopen in the Spring, says TfL, at first to general traffic, with the roundabout and surrounding roads reopening in the following weeks. In the meantime, the junction remains closed to all vehicle traffic except emergency services, black cabs, and TfL buses, while essential works to renew and strengthen the ageing flyover continue.
Originally built in the 1970s as a temporary structure, the flyover is undergoing a major refurbishment to ensure it remains safe and reliable for decades to come. Once complete, the renewed flyover will allow for
the removal of speed and weight restrictions, improving journey times and safety for all road users.
Unforeseen ground conditions around the water main have meant progress of both the flyover and water infrastructure works have been delayed. During excavation, engineers encountered pockets of shale that made the planned tunnelling method unable to work, 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. The diversion of this pipe is a key step in enabling the new structure.
TfL, Essex & Suffolk Water and Costain have been working together at pace to redesign and reprogramme the works. Coordinating a complex, multi-disciplinary construction project of this scale takes time, but all partners have been focused on compressing timelines and minimising further disruption.
TfL, Essex & Suffolk Water (ESW) and Costain have now developed a revised integrated programme, which will be delivered in three phases:
Phase One – Completion of bridge sections over the roundabout and installation of the water main alongside it.
Phase Two – ESW will work 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.
Phase Three – Final water main diversion, final connections and commissioning work, highway improvements to the A127, and grouting of the existing main. Completion of this phase enables full reopening of the roundabout and surrounding roads reopening in the following weeks.
Significant progress has been made so far. Nine of the 13 bridge sections have already been installed at the western end of the flyover, and preparations are underway for foundation works at the eastern end. A new section of the bridge was erected earlier this month, marking a visible milestone in the project. The first phase of the pipe installation has been completed enabling the traffic to be switched to open up the other half of the roundabout for both projects.
Scott Haxton, TfL’s Director of Capital Delivery, said:
“We’re incredibly grateful to residents and businesses for their continued patience while we carry out these essential works at Gallows Corner. We understand how disruptive this has been, and we’re working with our
partners to complete the project as quickly and safely as possible. Once finished, the renewed flyover will be safer, more reliable, and better able to serve East London for generations to come.”
(Pic: TfL)
