09.01.18
DLR station reopens after nearly a year of Elizabeth Line prep
Custom House DLR station reopened this week following its closure in February last year.
The station went through major upgrade work in the time it was shut, preparing for the introduction of Elizabeth Line services which are set to start from December this year.
While Custom House has reopened to passenger services, there is still ongoing work to be completed, including a new mezzanine deck, station canopies and two additional staircases, which are expected to be completed in the spring.
It is the latest in a string of stations which are reopening ahead of the full introduction of Elizabeth Line services, most recently TfL unveiled its £300m revamp of Bond Street station, which involves a 30% increase in capacity specifically built to deal with London’s newest line.
Speaking in the run up to the reopening, Mark Davis, interim general manager of the DLR, commented: “We appreciate the patience our customers have shown while the station has been closed.
“Once fully complete, this important work will have increased capacity at the station by 50% - making journeys better for customers and ensuring the station is fit for the arrival of Elizabeth Line services from late 2018.”
Passengers using the station will be able to travel on services into central London as well as going east towards Beckton.
In November last year, TfL opened the bidding on 43 new DLR trains, as part of plans to increase capacity on the line and replace old stock – some of which turns 25-years-old this year.
Initially Custom House was reopened on Sunday however this was just a ‘soft relaunch’ intended to test the station before the full opening was completed on Monday 8 January.
TfL claims the introduction of the Elizabeth Line will boost rail transport capacity in central London by 10% and add £42bn to the economy while support thousands of new jobs.
Top image: TfL
Have you got a story to tell? Would you like to become an RTM columnist? If so, click here.