Residents Demand Action for Heath Drive Traffic Issues

Residents living on Heath Drive say traffic and safety concerns linked to the Gallows Corner works have been ongoing since the start of the project, with many claiming the residential road effectively became a rat run during the disruption.

Concerns have continued following the partial reopening arrangements around Gallows Corner, which residents say are still pushing significant levels of traffic through Heath Drive and neighbouring roads.

Residents have been discussing the issue in local community groups, with some now escalating complaints and calling for stronger mitigation measures.

Some residents say they have formally escalated the matter to Havering Council’s Chief Executive, submitted complaints and contacted Romford MP Andrew Rosindell requesting intervention.

Messages shared with The Havering Daily claim the Council had acknowledged Heath Drive is a “sensitive residential road” and that there were “credible concerns regarding displacement traffic”, but residents allege TfL did not provide traffic modelling linked to the partial reopening.

Residents have also questioned whether there was a clearly defined mitigation plan or operational response framework in place before the changes went live.

Concerns have been raised over near misses, speeding, noise and the wider impact increased traffic is having on daily life along the road.

One resident said frustrations had been building for months and claimed residents had struggled to get meaningful responses from agencies involved in the project.

They told The Havering Daily: “The concerns started with the beginning of the Gallows Corner works, when Heath Drive became one of the diversion routes and effectively turned into a rat run. Many residents have repeatedly raised concerns about safety and the volume of traffic using a residential road.”

Another resident added: “We have long professional experience in contracting and major property development and understand the issues involved, but many residents have felt frustrated by the lack of meaningful engagement and communication throughout the disruption.”

However, former councillor Philippa Crowder says efforts have been ongoing for years to try and improve road safety and ensure residents’ concerns are heard.

Earlier this year, a meeting was organised at Romford Golf Club involving Havering Highways officers, Cabinet Member for Highways Cllr Barry Mugglestone and residents to discuss the impact traffic was having on Heath Drive.

Drivers are using backroads more then ever to avoid the disruption caused by the Gallows Corner works.

Following that meeting, official traffic calming surveys were sent to residents across the area.

Philippa Crowder told The Havering Daily: “I have been campaigning since 2012 for traffic calming measures and road safety improvements in Heath Drive, which is one of the reasons I became a councillor in 2014. I have attended meetings with Havering Highways, TfL and the Gallows Corner project team to raise residents’ concerns around disruption, safety and traffic impact.”

She added: “I also hand-delivered survey letters across the estate this week because I knew some residents may be away over the Bank Holiday period and I wanted to ensure as many people as possible had the opportunity to respond before the consultation deadline.”

Philippa also confirmed she attended a further meeting at Gallows Corner with members of the project team, including TfL and Costain representatives, where residents’ concerns were raised directly.

Residents say TfL traffic counters have now been deployed on Heath Drive. One resident claimed a worker monitoring the equipment confirmed traffic volumes were “very high” and said TfL had a “heightened awareness” of the situation.

The Gallows Corner works have faced criticism for months following repeated delays, road closures and ongoing disruption across Havering.

The council has been contacted for comments.

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