Transport for London (TfL) is yet to confirm a full reopening date for Gallows Corner - a year on from the roadworks starting.
It has been exactly 12 months since the major junction in Romford shut fully, causing havoc for drivers, businesses and residents.
While the new flyover is now in place, half of it still cannot be used and there is no end in sight for ongoing closures on the A127 and A12.
As we mark a year of delays, here is a timeline of everything that has happened.
Timeline of Gallows Corner project after a year of disruption
May 2025
A specific start date for the full closure of Gallows Corner was confirmed in May after initial delays to the start of lane closures in March.
Motorists and residents were informed that the closure was set to last between June September, although TfL never provided an exact end date.
TfL explained at the time that the decision for a full closure during the summer months was to complete the works more quickly, avoiding "a series of lengthy partial closures with ongoing disruption".
June and July 2025
Ahead of the shutdown date on June 23, businesses reacted fearing the closure would be "devastating" for trade.
Only a week into the closure, one told the Recorder it had been "really tough" trying to operate as normal.
However, TfL promised the complete shutdown would avoid "more disruptive" closures in the future.
August 2025
The September opening timeframe was pushed back into October after "unforeseeable problems" with the water main replacement being carried out by Essex & Suffolk Water (ESW).
This was announced on August 27, despite TfL repeatedly insisting Gallows Corner was "still on schedule" to reopen on time, as recently as a week before this announcement.
No new completion date was given, with TfL stating the project was at its "midway point".
November 2025
The project timeline remained unclear throughout September and October, and at the beginning of November, TfL announced a new completion date: spring 2026.
The initial plan was for a phased reopening, with the flyover reopening to general traffic first, followed by the roundabout and surrounding roads in the "following weeks."
February 2026
This first phased reopening plan was abandoned in February.
TfL then revealed that all of Gallows Corner, including the removal of diversion routes and temporary traffic measures, would reopen to general traffic by the end of April.
Again, no specific reopening date was confirmed.
April 2026
In what was supposed to be the final month of the project, TfL was unable to confirm a specific reopening date, but stated it was still working towards the end of April.
Less than a week later, TfL announced that the reopening would be delayed again due to ESW identifying further work necessary to "ensure the water main is fully assured".
A new reopening date was not given.
May 2026
Gallows Corner partially reopened on May 10 with the eastbound carriageway of the flyover and key roads like Straight Road and Main Road reopening after almost a year of closures.
TfL stated that major planned works had been completed, but some water main works were ongoing, meaning the westbound flyover and certain routes remained closed or restricted.
June 2026
TfL says it is working "at pace" to provide a timeline for Gallows Corner's full reopening, but a date is still not confirmed.
Significant underground work is still ongoing to fix "damage" to the new water main identified by ESW teams.
A TfL spokesperson said it is "working closely with ESW to understand when the road can be safely opened".
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