Transport for London (TfL) has begun a significant phase of industry engagement for the proposed Docklands Light Railway (DLR) Thamesmead Extension (TEX), marking one of London’s most consequential light‑rail expansions in decades. The programme—costed at £1.35bn excluding VAT (£1.62bn including VAT)—sets the stage for a major new cross‑river connection in East London with implications for supply chains and contractors across the UK rail and construction sectors.
The TEX scheme proposes a 3 km DLR extension from Gallions Reach to Thamesmead via Beckton Riverside, a corridor long highlighted as underserved by public transport. The indicative scope includes a grade‑separated junction with the existing East Route, a new station at the heart of the Beckton Riverside development, a 1.5 km twin‑bore cross‑river tunnel, a new Thamesmead station, and a turnback siding to enable future service uplift.
According to the documentation, the contracting entity will be Docklands Light Railway Limited, a wholly‑owned TfL subsidiary, with construction currently planned to run from 2028 to 2033.
Wide-Ranging Technical and Delivery Requirements
The TEX programme’s scope spans a broad set of design, engineering and construction disciplines—creating a multi‑year pipeline of opportunity for UK suppliers.
TfL outlines requirements across:
Design Services
- “civil and building design”
- “mechanical, electrical, sanitary and security design”
- “ground investigations”
- “design lead and co-ordination”
Construction Works
- “enabling works”
- “general building and civil engineering works”
- “mechanical, electrical, security and sanitary installations”
- “train traction power system”
- “telecommunication systems”
- “permanent ways and tracks”
- “station buildings”
- “landscaping”
Goods Supply
- “associated mechanical, electrical/electronic equipment”
- “associated construction materials”
The scale of the programme positions it alongside other recent UK transit megaprojects, offering a long-term workload and the opportunity to shape a new DLR branch from early concept design to handover.
TfL Seeks Industry Insight on Buildability, Carbon Reduction and Delivery Model
TfL has emphasised that this stage is about partnership and market shaping rather than procurement. The announcement states:
“The intention is to establish appetite and to harness expertise from the industry to help develop a suitable strategy for delivering all the works comprised in this Programme.”
This includes advice on:
- buildability
- packaging and phasing
- sequencing
- commercial arrangements
- innovative engineering and delivery approaches
TfL notes that it is implementing a new delivery model designed to “drive improvement, capture construction efficiencies to reduce cost, [and] is seeking innovative techniques to reduce carbon to meet the net zero gain and improve whole life costs.”
For UK rail suppliers focused on low‑carbon solutions, off‑site manufacturing, tunnelling innovation and systems integration, the TEX engagement could help influence one of London’s next major infrastructure programmes.
Industry Days and Market Sounding Underway
The TEX programme’s engagement process has already been active for several months, beginning with an Industry Day on 2 December 2025 followed by a Market Sounding Questionnaire. The latest UK2 notice confirms the next steps:
- A second Industry Day will take place on 25 February 2026, at The Cumberland, Marble Arch.
- A new MSQ will be issued by 27 February 2026, with responses due 10 April 2026.
- To be considered for one‑to‑one commercial and procurement model sessions, suppliers must submit by 27 March 2026.
TfL may also hold targeted sessions with suppliers “having the capability and experience for the scope of works or delivery model.”
Attendance is limited to three representatives per organisation.
Registration Through SAP Ariba
All future TEX procurement activities will be run through TfL’s SAP Ariba e‑tendering portal. The notice provides detailed steps for registration, including the requirement to email [email protected] with identifiers such as supplier ID, contact name and Ariba registration details.
TfL stresses that suppliers who participated in earlier TEX engagement rounds may simply reconfirm their interest, noting:
“Where you have previously been submitted SAP Ariba registration details… please provide… the date when the SAP Ariba registration details were previously provided; and confirming your intention to attend the event.”
A Pre‑Procurement Step, Not the Tender Launch
TfL repeatedly highlights that the TEX engagement is informational only. The notice makes clear:
“This is a pre-procurement activity and does not imply any commitment to any future procurement process or at all.”
Any future tendering will be issued separately through a UK4 notice.
The publication also states:
“TfL shall not be liable to any respondent for any costs whatsoever incurred in participating in this pre-procurement activity.”
A Strategic Moment for London and for UK Rail Supply Chains
While the TEX programme is still in early stages, it signals a major future pipeline for the UK rail, tunnelling, civils and systems integration markets. The combination of viaduct, tunnelling, station construction, power, telecoms, and permanent way works positions the programme as a multi‑disciplinary opportunity for suppliers seeking long-term visibility.
If delivered as planned, the Thamesmead Extension would reshape connectivity in a part of London lacking rail links, supporting housing and regeneration while ensuring the DLR network continues to evolve.
For now, TfL’s message is clear: the organisation is seeking to build this programme collaboratively, and the industry has an open invitation to shape how TEX will be delivered.
Image credit: iStock
