Hornchurch & Upminster MP Julia Lopez has written to both Transport for London (TfL) and Essex & Suffolk Water after a delay to the project was confirmed on Thursday (August 27), asking what it will mean for residents.
She urged both organisations to set out “exactly what has gone wrong”, how long the delay will be and what extra resources are being brought in to speed things up.
Ms Lopez said: “Residents have endured months of disruption at Gallows Corner as the important and necessary flyover replacement works have taken place.
“They will understandably be extremely frustrated by news of these delays, particularly with the school holidays ending soon ending and costs to businesses adding up.
“They deserve a clear and honest update on how long these works will now take and what steps are being taken to minimise further inconvenience.”
READ MORE: Everything we know about the Gallows Corner works delay
In a post on Facebook, the MP added that the news is “especially disappointing” given that the most recent public update from TfL last week said Gallows Corner was “still on track” to reopen in September.
Romford MP Andrew Rosindell said TfL “must be held accountable” for the consequences of the delay and that he will demand “every possible measure is taken” to speed up the project’s completion.
He told the Recorder: “The unacceptable delays to the completion of the Gallows Corner flyover refurbishment have caused immense frustration across and beyond our community.
“Our fears have, regrettably, been realised.
“We cannot allow this situation to continue unchecked.
“I stand with our local businesses and residents in calling for immediate action.”
The Gallows Corner works were initially expected to reach completion next month, however TfL blamed “unforeseen problems” with the site’s ground condition for the delay.
A spokesperson said TfL is working to confirm a new completion date for the project as soon as possible.
They told this paper: “We’re working closely with Essex & Suffolk Water to complete the renewal of both vital pieces of infrastructure and minimise the impacts of the delay.
“We are very sorry for the disruption caused to local residents and businesses.”
A spokesperson for Essex and Suffolk Water previously said: “We continue to work very closely with TfL to ensure our programmes remain aligned through the remainder of the works on both infrastructure projects.
“We are sorry for the inconvenience.”
