Council tax refund demanded for flyover work delay

Nearly 2,000 people have signed a petition demanding compensation - including a partial refund of their council tax - over long delays at a major junction in Romford, as Transport for London (TfL) said it was "very sorry" for the continued disruption.

Havering Council, now run by Reform UK, set TfL a deadline of the end of October to fully reopen the flyover and roundabout at Gallows Corner.

The junction is being rebuilt after improvements to the water mains are carried out.

Essex and Suffolk Water (ESW) said the repairs should be finished by August and TfL could then resurface the area.

Part of the junction reopened in May, but a full reopening, including the removal of diversions, has yet to take place.

TfL said: "Following this, we will need to complete final reinstatement and resurfacing works before we can fully reopen the road network."

Council leader Keith Prince, who is also the London Assembly member for Havering and Redbridge, said residents had "simply had enough" and had asked for a partial council tax refund for each month of delay beyond the original end of September 2025 deadline.

Petition organisers said residents "no longer had confidence in TfL's assurances" and had "reached a breaking point".

Havering's previous administration branded the delays "extremely disappointing" and a "farce". The council previously said it had no legal power to reduce council tax because of roadworks.

An ESW spokesperson said their team was making progress on the "remaining repairs and testing" of the water main and pipework.

They added: "We are currently working towards completing our work by the end of August.

"Following this, TfL will complete the final reinstatement and resurfacing works before they can fully reopen the road network."

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