Transport for London (TfL) is inviting Londoners to have their say on ambitious proposals to extend the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to Thamesmead and Beckton Riverside. The preferred route, a cross-river extension from Gallions Reach, would create two new stations and support the delivery of up to 30,000 new homes.
The scheme has been supported by Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who said: “Extending the DLR will unlock huge opportunities for London and will support tens of thousands of new homes, deliver new transport connections, and boost the economy, creating thousands of jobs.”
TfL believe that the scheme has huge benefits including the potential to meet the growing demand for housing and the need to create communities as well as supporting up to 10,000 new jobs, either directly or indirectly.
The new DLR stations would also improve connectivity to an area which is so far has no tube, DLR or rail links to East London. With the construction of the new line, Thamesmead could be connected to Stratford and the Isle of Dogs, as well as direct services to central London.
Cllr Anthony Okereke, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich: “The DLR extension is central to the regeneration of Thamesmead and would transform the area. We encourage residents and businesses to participate in the consultation.”
The public consultation is open now until March 18, 2024. TfL is encouraging residents, businesses, and stakeholders to share their feedback on the proposals. This feedback will be used to help shape the scheme as it progresses through the next stages of planning.
“This important public consultation will ensure we can get feedback from those who may benefit from the extension in future,” said Alex Williams, Chief Customer and Strategy Officer at TfL.
Alongside the possible new route, TfL is investing in a new DLR fleet. The CAF built units will slowly replace 33 of the oldest trains in the fleet, with the full fleet of 54 introduced into service by 2026.
Photo Credit: iStock/TfL
