Work to tear down and rebuild a flyover that needs "major repairs" has entered its next phase - with planners hoping to avoid submitting a planning application.

Transport for London (TfL) has written to Havering Council about plans to demolish and replace the A12 flyover at Gallows Corner.

The flyover connects the A12 Eastern Avenue with the A127 Southend Arterial Road.

In a letter, TfL has asked whether the proposed development will need an Environment Impact Assessment - in effect, whether it will need to submit a planning application.

A report enclosed by TfL concluded that the project will not give rise to any significant environmental effects as the length of the road is not being changed.

The work is said to merely remove and reinstate the flyover, and the letter says: "It will not represent a major change to the overall character of the surrounding environment."

The letter was submitted on September 29 and TfL says it hopes to receive a response within the statutory three-week period.

In November 2021, TfL had warned that it could shut the flyover entirely without any government funding for its renewal after concerns had been raised over the flyover's safety for years. 

Originally erected in the 1970s as a temporary structure, Transport for London (TfL) has previously said it needs "major repairs".

In June this year, TFL submitted a business case to the Department for Transport to fund the project. 

The move was welcomed by Keith Prince, London Assembly member for Havering and leader of the Conservatives on Havering Council, at the time.

He had said: “Gallows Corner needs to be rehabilitated because the structure is knackered and if it doesn’t the consequences will be horrendous.”

A decision on it is expected to be taken by the council by October 20. Planning documents for the case can be found on the council’s website: https://development.havering.gov.uk/OcellaWeb/planningDetails?reference=Z0005.23&from=planningSearch