Plans to bulldoze and replace the Gallows Corner flyover have received a boost after Havering Council approved an application in connection with the proposed scheme.
A planning officer for the authority has told Transport for London (TfL) this week that its plan for a replacement bridge is not likely to have significant effects on the environment due to its nature, size or location.
It comes after TfL applied to the council in September for a "screening opinion for an environmental impact assessment in respect to demolish and replace the A12 flyover at Gallows Corner".
The scheme, the officer said, does not trigger the relevant environmental impact assessment thresholds for the type of development.
The flyover, that connects the A12 Eastern Avenue with the A127 Southend Arterial Road, was initially built as a temporary structure in 1970.
TfL has said it is "in urgent need of major repairs". In June this year, it submitted a business case to the Department for Transport for funding.
Its director of investment delivery planning, David Rowe, previously said: "We have assessed all options for its renewal thoroughly and are moving forwards with plans for a scheme which will refurbish and strengthen the flyover using the latest materials.
"We have submitted a business case for funding to the Department for Transport (DfT) and are continuing work on our designs for the scheme while the business case is being considered by the DfT.
"This will allow us to move forwards with the scheme as quickly as possible if funding is approved.”
In November 2021, it had warned that it could shut the flyover entirely without any government funding for its renewal.
Councillor Keith Prince, London Assembly member for Havering, has previously said he will be writing a letter to the government to push for the flyover’s replacement.
Read More: Calls to up cash for Gallows Corner, Romford flyover scheme
He had said in June: “Gallows Corner needs to be rehabilitated because the structure is knackered and if it doesn’t the consequences will be horrendous.”
A copy of the planning officer’s report can be found on council’s website: https://development.havering.gov.uk/OcellaWeb/planningDetails?reference=Z0005.23&from=planningSearch
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