Breaking: Transport for London confirms it intends to complete works at Gallows Corner flyover by spring 2026.

Transport for London confirms next steps for Gallows Corner flyover renewal

• Revised three-phase programme developed in collaboration with Essex & Suffolk Water and Costain intends to complete works by spring 2026
• TfL thanks local residents and road users for their patience while this complex, safety-critical work is completed and advises people to continue to plan ahead for their journeys 

Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed it intends to complete works at Gallows Corner flyover by spring 2026.

The flyover will reopen to general traffic first, 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.

TfL has been working closely with ESW, who are simultaneously replacing a critical water main that supplies communities across north-east London. Coordinating these works has helped minimise future disruption to the road network. 

The delay to completing the project is due to a combination of unforeseen and complex challenges. These include difficult ground conditions, the need to carefully coordinate overlapping elements of the water main and flyover works, and the discovery of two previously uncharted gas mains, which both projects must now work around. These factors have required a redesign of the construction approach and a revised programme to ensure the works can be delivered safely and effectively.

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.”

Alastair Tawn, Head of Integrated Delivery Services at Essex & Suffolk Water, said: “We appreciate the importance of this busy road interchange and are sorry for the inconvenience caused. However, I can reassure people who live, work and drive in the area, that this remains a priority for us and our team continue to make good progress in line with our new programme. This has been, and continues to be a very complex project, within an even larger, more complex project, and we’re working closely with TfL and all the partners involved, to ensure the remaining works are delivered as quickly and safely as possible.”

Marcus Hollan, Senior Project Manager at Costain, said: “We’re grateful for the patience and understanding shown by the local community and businesses as we work collaboratively with TfL and ESW to deliver an upgraded junction that will improve journey times, reliability and safety on London’s road network. Our teams will be working extended hours, including through the Christmas period, to complete the required additional works at this complex site as quickly as possible without compromising on safety and quality.”  

Further details, including more detailed completion dates for each phase, will be shared with the public by early next year.

Stay up to date with all of our latest updates and content by following us on our social media accounts!

We have created community pages where we will share our up-to-date stories happening in the area. Add the area closest to where you live.