Confusion Grows Over Gallows Corner Delays as No New Completion Date Confirmed

Uncertainty continues to surround the timeline for long-awaited improvement works at Gallows Corner, a major traffic junction in Romford, East London, with Transport for London (TfL) confirming that a revised completion date has still not been agreed — despite ongoing public frustration and conflicting information from mapping services.

The project, intended to address long-standing safety and congestion issues at the junction where the A12 and A127 meet, has already faced multiple setbacks. Most recently, confusion arose when navigation platforms such as Google Maps and Waze inaccurately indicated that the roundabout had reopened on October 1, leading to widespread public misunderstanding.

TfL responded by clarifying that this was incorrect and confirmed it has worked with digital mapping providers to update their information.

“We have made Google aware of this error and this is due to be removed soon,” a TfL spokesperson said. “Unfortunately, I can’t give you an exact time when this will happen due to it being Google’s update but it should soon reflect the road closures accurately.”

As of October 2, Google Maps still showed the junction as closed "until January 2026" — a date TfL insists is also inaccurate. Other users have reported seeing inconsistent dates, including October 13, January 2026, and March 2026, adding to the confusion.

“We continue to work urgently with our partners to agree and confirm a new timeline for the works,” TfL said, acknowledging the delay announced at the end of August but offering no further detail on revised timeframes.

Political Pressure Mounts Over Lack of Transparency

The delays have triggered significant criticism from local leaders and elected officials, who are calling for clear communication and accountability.

Julia Lopez, MP for Hornchurch and Upminster, said her office was informed by Essex & Suffolk Water (ESW) that an updated construction schedule would be shared “within the next 48 hours” — but no such update has been made public.

“It continues to be hugely frustrating and disappointing that so little information flows from TfL and Essex & Suffolk Water,” Lopez told the Romford Recorder. “Residents deserve urgent clarity on this situation. Their trust has been broken too many times and future promises and updates must be delivered transparently and on time.”

In a letter addressed to the Mayor of London, Lopez urged him to take “personal responsibility” for the stalled project, echoing growing concerns from constituents who say they are left in the dark about when the disruption will end.

Andrew Rosindell, MP for Romford, and Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, have also expressed “extreme concern” and are calling for “urgent action” to resolve the delays and improve communication with the public.

A Key East London Junction Still in Limbo

Gallows Corner is a strategic junction for East London’s road network, particularly for commuters and freight traffic using the A12 corridor, a key route between London and Essex. It has long been considered a problematic hotspot for congestion and safety, with plans for improvement receiving funding approval from the Department for Transport (DfT) in recent years.

The current upgrade works — involving road layout changes and infrastructure enhancements — are being delivered by TfL in partnership with contractors Costain and utility provider Essex & Suffolk Water. However, neither company responded to requests for comment regarding the timeline or current status of the project.

Until a revised completion date is formally confirmed, disruption is expected to continue, affecting not only drivers but also bus services and local access routes.