Gallows Corner

infobox UK place
country = England
map_type = Greater London
region= London
population=
official_name= Gallows Corner
constituency_westminster= Romford
post_town= ROMFORD
london_borough= Havering
postcode_area= RM
postcode_district= RM2, RM3
dial_code= 01708
os_grid_reference= TQ535905
longitude= 0.2169
latitude= 51.5923

Gallows Corner is an area and road junction in the London Borough of Havering situated west of Harold Wood, south of Harold Hill, north of Gidea Park and east of Collier Row.

The road junction is a roundabout with five exits and a flyover. The exits are:

*A12 (west), "Eastern Avenue East", towards central London
*A118 (south west), called "Main Road", towards Romford and Ilford
*A127 (south east), "Southend Arterial Road", towards Southend-on-Sea
*A12 (north east), "Colchester Road" towards Brentwood and Ipswich
*"Straight Road" (north), a minor road towards Havering-atte-Bower

The flyover links the first and third exits. It is notorious for being angular, with several sudden changes of slope rather than a smooth arch, causing a very bumpy ride. The flyover was closed for several months in early 2008 for remedial work carried out to the road deck with several sections replaced. It was found upon final inspection that several of the side rail uprights had suffered severe corrosion. The bridge was fitted with emergency barriers which has meant that traffic is restricted to one lane in the London bound direction only. It is not thought that the bridge will be re-opened to two lane working until Summer 2009 at the earliest.

During the 18th century, Gallows Corner was a lonely country crossroads and a favourite spot for waylaying coaches. It was close to the site for the gallows, thought to have been located north of the Southend Arterial Road on the grassy stretch below Masefield Crescent. Under the charter of the Royal Liberty of Havering, the Court of Quarter Sessions could try capital offences on payment to the Crown. The place of execution was then the gallows at Gallows Corner. There are several entries in the Romford Registers of burials of felons who were executed there in the 16th and 17th centuries. The site gaol where the condemned were held is now Ravensbourne School for children with special needs.

External links

* [http://www.johnpugh.com/photographs/street/str08.htm Picture of Gallows Corner]