“It’s Killing My Petrol and My Brain”-Residents Vent Anger at Gallows Corner Chaos

Frustration across Havering is boiling over as residents share the daily nightmare caused by the Gallows Corner works. With no clear end date in sight, people say their lives have been turned upside down.

Havering residents have left many comments on our social post asking how the Gallows Corner roadwork delays are impacting their lives.

Journey times have doubled or even tripled. Parents have been forced to cancel children’s after-school activities, with one explaining: “We’ve had to stop all kids’ clubs because they’d spend more time stuck in traffic than actually at the activity. And with no direct buses, carrying large musical instruments on multiple changes just isn’t practical.”

The strain is being felt in every corner of the borough. “One hour and ten minutes from Roneo Corner to Squirrels Heath Road – it’s killing my miles, my petrol and my brain,” said another.

For families, the stress is relentless. “I’m leaving 45 minutes earlier for work and my daughter’s football training. She’s stressed about being late for school. But it’s okay, TfL will compensate the council – normal people get nothing.”

Residents in Ardleigh Green describe dreading leaving their own homes. “It’s always gridlocked getting back. Why can’t they open the road along the A127 to turn left for residents? No decent updates on what’s going on – just let us know, good or bad.”

The daily grind is wearing people down. “My journey home has gone from 15 minutes to nearly an hour. Yesterday I left work at 3pm and got home at 4.45pm. It’s horrendous.”

Others are questioning how much longer they can cope. “Working in Upminster used to take 20 minutes – now it’s an hour and 20. I leave home at 7.45am and don’t get back until after 8pm. The extra petrol is costing a fortune. I’m even considering finding a local job because there’s still no completion date – this could drag on another year.”

Key workers are also struggling. “District nurses, who do a brilliant job, are very affected by the traffic jams on their routes. The whole fiasco is affecting so many.”

For some, the delays are becoming frightening. “I live in Kings Park, I’m heavily pregnant and always stressed about getting to my appointments at Queens Hospital on time. I’ve almost missed several already. It takes 40 to 70 minutes to drive just three miles. What happens when the baby is on the way?”

And while patience is wearing thin, the anger grows. “A five-minute journey now takes 45 minutes. I went past on the bus last week and saw people sitting on chairs on their phones – no one actually working. No wonder nothing is getting done.”

The message from residents is loud and clear:the Gallows Corner delays are more than an inconvenience. They are taking a toll on people’s wallets, wellbeing, and daily lives and until a clear end date is set, frustration will only deepen.

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