Plans to improve safety at accident blackspot, Gallows Corner, have been branded a “waste of time” by Romford’s MP.
After a 36-month analysis Transport for London (TfL) unveiled its plan for the five arm roundabout and flyover, in Romford, this week.
Political figures have roundly condemned the proposal, which includes repainting lines, increasing the size of the roundabout and extending the 30mph approach on the A12 and A127, as not going far enough.
The limited scope of the proposals, which do not include replacing the flyover, means the Recorder will add its name to calls for TfL and the Mayor of London to go back to the drawing board.
MP Andrew Rosindell, who has campaigned for improvements to the junction for 12 years, said: “I’m very disappointed, clearly it’s a short term fix and I do not see how it will make any real difference to the traffic flow at Gallows Corner, which is a disaster.
“It needs a long term plan and serious investment. We need an underpass.”
Mr Rosindell’s disappointment was echoed by Conservative Deputy Mayor of London and Havering’s representative at the London Assembly, Roger Evans.
He said: “I do not think it’s enough and my suggestion to the council is to reject it because the danger is we will have weeks of disruption while they move kerb stones and repaint lines and then when it reopens people will say ‘what is this about?’”
Both Mr Evans, a former Havering councillor, and Mr Rosindell have called for an underpass to replace the flyover – built as a temporary measure in the 1970s – during their years of campaigning.
Mr Rosindell said: “It’s all about the money. If they go for a underpass it’s going to cost a lot and there’s not a lot of money available, but I think we should have the long term objective to put an underpass in and reshape the junction.
“If they told us that’s what the aim is but it’s going to take a few years to get it that would be Ok.”
TfL’s analysis concluded the primary causes of accidents at the junction are excessive speed on approach and entry, drivers failing to give way and difficulty changing lanes.
Its plan aims to slow traffic as it approaches the junction and help it flow more safely.
Havering Council welcomed TfL’s attempt to address safety concerns but agreed the plans do not go far enough.
Cllr Robert Benham, cabinet member for the environment, said: “Everyone in the borough knows that this very busy location requires a major rethink and significant investment in a major scheme that would not only reduce accidents but also keep commuting traffic from unnecessarily clogging up our roads. The proposal appears to be a minor alteration which does not address overuse, the main cause of accidents at this location.”
Nigel Hardy, head of sponsorship at Surface Transport for TfL, said: “These proposals were designed after a detailed Road Safety Review analysed three years worth of collision and traffic data.
“Our consultation is now open, and we are looking forward to hearing the views of local residents and road users.”
Mr Rosindell, Mr Evans and Cllr Benham said they would continue to lobby TfL to look again at the plans.
A consultation event will be held at The Liberty, Romford, on Friday February 26 from 9am to 6pm.
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