Gallows Corner Shortlisted for £50m Government Funding
Andrew Rosindell said "Gallows Corner is one of the most dangerous road junctions in Greater London, after having made representations for its improvement over many years, I am happy to see it shortlisted as one of first five improvement schemes in Government's Major Road Network."
"Transport secretary Chris Grayling announced on Monday 1st October that Gallows Corner has been shortlisted as one of the first five potential local road schemes in the government’s major road network programme.
The programme allows councils to bid for improvements to local A-roads and it’s part of the biggest road investment since the 1970s as each of the shortlisted schemes will be eligible for up to £50m of funding."
http://www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/news/gallows-corner-shortlisted-for-go…
https://www.facebook.com/AndrewRosindellofficial/videos/443572442713896…
Saturday 11 May 2024:
Statement from Andrew Rosindell M.P. following the announcement that there will be a revamp sponsored by central government:
The news just announced that at last, a new plan to revamp the Gallows Corner flyover junction, is welcome.
For over thirty years, as both a Havering Councillor and M.P. for Romford, I have been a tireless advocate for the improvement of Gallows Corner, fighting to secure funding and action by the Government, Mayor of London and Transport for London.
Only recently, I raised the issue again in House of Commons during Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport.
Whilst the plans that are now being proposed do not represent the far-reaching change that I had argued for, where the whole layout of the Gallows Corner junction would be , reconstructed, with a new under pass similar to that which has been built on the A406 North Circular, this proposal will be an improvement, albiet many years overdue.
I would like to thank all elected representatives that has worked so hard and campaigned for the improvements that are now going ahead, including previous local Members of Parliament for Romford, Hornchurch and Upminster of all political parties, as well as our two Greater London Assembly Members since 2000, Roger Evans and Keith Prince, various Leaders of Havering Council and also some local councillors, most especially Cllr. Ray Best, who made this his personal mission to achieve a new and better layout for the Gallows Corner junction.
Despite our collective efforts, lobbying every Secretary of State for Transport and every London Mayor, it is very disappointing that the recent announcement falls short of the comprehensive restructuring I have long campaigned for. The proposed refurbishment of the flyover is a step forward, but it doesn't address the fundamental issues of congestion and safety that have plagued this dangerous junction for decades. It is a sticking plaster solution, not a long-term plan for something permanent and better.
The lack of far-reaching investment in the A12/A127 junction contrasts starkly with the attention given to other major roads like the North Circular. Our community deserves equitable treatment when it comes to infrastructure investment, yet it seems we've been left wanting once again. Our situation in being caught between the Greater London Authority one side and Essex County Council on the other, never serves us well!
As Member of Parliament for Romford, I will continue to push for the comprehensive overhaul that Gallows Corner desperately needs. We cannot afford to settle for half-measures when the safety and well-being of local people and those passing through our borough to and from Essex and London, are at stake .
Wednesday 20 March 2024:
Speaking in the House at Transport Questions earlier today, Andrew Rosindell M.P., Member of Parliament for Romford, demanded the Secretary of State for Transport that a refurbishment for Gallows Corner - a project which is half-a-century overdue - takes place.
This is the latest in a long campaign with the aim of providing road safety for all those who travel across the A12 / A127 intersection.
For nearly half a century the people of Romford, and those of wider Essex and east London, have been waiting for the Gallows Corner A12/A127 junction to be reconstructed. Is it not time we had some investment for the people of Romford? It seems to go everywhere else; let us have some in the London borough of Havering, please.
Andrew Rosindell M.P.
As my hon. Friend knows, the Government are passionately committed to improving the A12. Only recently it was the subject of litigation brought by one individual. I will happily sit down with my hon. Friend, who for many a year has been a doughty campaigner for Romford. I entirely agree with him that this needs to be addressed.
Guy Opperman M.P., Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Roads and Local Transport
Tuesday 7 March 2024:
The Government announced a revamp of Gallows Corner, which includes the strengthening and refurbishing of the existing Gallows Corner flyover. The Department for Transport earmarked a maximum of £57.3 million for this project.
Andrew's statement on this was as follows:
The news just announced that at last, a new plan to revamp the Gallows Corner flyover junction, is welcome.
For over thirty years, as both a Havering Councillor and M.P. for Romford, I have been a tireless advocate for the improvement of Gallows Corner, fighting to secure funding and action by the Government, Mayor of London and Transport for London.
Only recently, I raised the issue again in House of Commons during Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport.
Whilst the plans that are now being proposed do not represent the far-reaching change that I had argued for, where the whole layout of the Gallows Corner junction would be , reconstructed, with a new under pass similar to that which has been built on the A406 North Circular, this proposal will be an improvement, albiet many years overdue.
I would like to thank all elected representatives that has worked so hard and campaigned for the improvements that are now going ahead, including previous local Members of Parliament for Romford, Hornchurch and Upminster of all political parties, as well as our two Greater London Assembly Members since 2000, Roger Evans and Keith Prince, various Leaders of Havering Council and also some local councillors, most especially Cllr. Ray Best, who made this his personal mission to achieve a new and better layout for the Gallows Corner junction.
Despite our collective efforts, lobbying every Secretary of State for Transport and every London Mayor, it is very disappointing that the recent announcement falls short of the comprehensive restructuring I have long campaigned for. The proposed refurbishment of the flyover is a step forward, but it doesn't address the fundamental issues of congestion and safety that have plagued this dangerous junction for decades. It is a sticking plaster solution, not a long-term plan for something permanent and better.
The lack of far-reaching investment in the A12/A127 junction contrasts starkly with the attention given to other major roads like the North Circular. Our community deserves equitable treatment when it comes to infrastructure investment, yet it seems we've been left wanting once again. Our situation in being caught between the Greater London Authority one side and Essex County Council on the other, never serves us well!
As Member of Parliament for Romford, I will continue to push for the comprehensive overhaul that Gallows Corner desperately needs. We cannot afford to settle for half-measures when the safety and well-being of local people and those passing through our borough to and from Essex and London, are at stake .
Monday 23 October 2024: Andrew reached out to the Rt Hon. Mark Harper MP, the Secretary of State for Transport, urging the government to provide financial support for the enhancement of the Gallows Corner junction and flyover in Romford, Essex. The current infrastructure, which has been in use for more than half a century, is considered one of the riskiest road sections in the South-East, plagued by significant traffic congestion and safety issues.
In his letter, Mr. Rosindell stressed that this area is notorious for its high-risk status in the South-East due to substantial congestion and safety problems. He also pointed out that Transport for London (TfL) has previously cautioned that there may be a need to close the existing structure by 2025. Such a decision, without a replacement structure already in the planning stages, would have devastating consequences for his constituents and those living in neighboring Essex areas.
Additionally, Mr. Rosindell drew attention to TfL's bid for £50 million in government funding to revamp Gallows Corner. However, he cautioned that this might not be sufficient to fully replace the structure and thus urged the government to allocate a portion of the £1 billion of available funding for road projects specifically for the replacement of Gallows Corner.
In conclusion, Mr. Rosindell appealed for an allocation of resources from the £1 billion funding pool for road projects to be directed towards the replacement of Gallows Corner, emphasizing the substantial benefits such an investment would bring to the Havering and Essex communities, both in economic terms and in enhancing the safety of local residents.
News reports indicate that TfL is considering scrapping the planned upgrades to Gallows Corner. TfL has been suffering from a funding crisis in recent months and according to the Romford Recorder "City Hall is having to consider the feasibility of the most expensive options, after the covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on Transport for London’s (TfL) finances."
In the 2nd of October 2020 edition of the Romford Recorder, Andrew's column focused on Gallows Corner, and his frustration at the reports. Writing, he said:
Fighting for a Gallows Corner Upgrade
On Thursday 10th of September yet another person tragically lost their life at the Gallows Corner junction. Stories of serious injuries and fatalities at Gallows Corner are far too common. With the “temporary” flyover marking its 50th birthday this year, I for one will not be wishing it many happy returns!
Instead I want to reassure the people of Romford that I am doing everything in my power to end this intolerable situation. For too long this flyover has been allowed to stand, despite the traffic, the accidents and the continuous maintenance it requires. A member of my staff recently went on street view on Google Maps and was stunned when he saw its appearance, shuddering at the thought of driving over it.
Our government is understandably focused on other pressing issues – defeating the coronavirus and the great national project of BREXIT, both of which I know my constituents care deeply about. However, the government has also committed to levelling up the country, including making improvements to our national infrastructure.
Unfortunately, TfL and the Mayor of London, Mr Khan do not seem to agree! Although Gallows Corner was shortlisted for potential improvements in the government’s ‘Major Road Network’, reports indicate that TfL are considering scrapping the upgrades. TfL’s funding crisis is not just an indictment of its own failings, it’s a reminder that we have a Mayor more interested in his image and in the central part of London, than in improving our infrastructure in the Essex end of Greater London!
As Romford’s M.P., I dismayed by this! Abandoning vital infrastructure projects will only further compound the economic damage caused by this pandemic and working with our London Assembly Member, Keith Prince A.M., I will do everything I can to prevent the project from being abandoned and continue the fight for a new junction layout at Gallows Corner.
