Transport for London (TfL) has announced plans to move forward with a Docklands Light Railway extension from Gallions Reach to Thamesmead, via Beckton Riverside, following overwhelming public support for the project.
The proposed extension, which will include two new DLR stations and a tunnel under the River Thames, aims to unlock the development of up to 30,000 new homes and create thousands of jobs in the area. The project is seen as a crucial step in addressing London’s housing crisis and boosting the local economy.
A recent consultation revealed strong support for the DLR extension, with 58% of respondents stating it would improve local journey times and 75% believing it would enhance connectivity to wider London. TfL also conducted polling in key areas, finding that 85% of residents supported the proposals.
The extension is expected to significantly improve public transport links in Thamesmead and Beckton Riverside. It will also connect the two areas to other parts of London, including Stratford, the Isle of Dogs, and the city centre, via the Jubilee and Elizabeth lines.
The consultation also revealed a strong demand for the DLR extension to go even further, extending to Bexley, Belvedere and Abbey Wood.
TfL will now develop a business case for the project, with construction potentially starting as early as 2028 and the extension opening to passengers in the early 2030s. The project is expected to require funding from a combination of public and private sources which will include TfL as well as other local and regional sources, although it has yet to specify any potential sources. However, Greenwich Council has expressed its own doubts on whether it would be able to invest in the project due to its ongoing financial issues.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan welcomed the news, stating that the DLR extension will "unlock huge opportunities for London" and support the creation of thousands of jobs. Local leaders from the Royal Borough of Greenwich and the London Borough of Newham also expressed their enthusiasm for the project.
Alex Williams, TfL's Chief Customer and Strategy Officer, said: “It is great to see support to extend the DLR from Gallions Reach to Thamesmead via Beckton Riverside, which presents a crucial opportunity to boost connectivity by linking two major growth areas with two new accessible stations.
“We will now progress work on plans for the cross-river extension of the DLR, which could see customers benefit from the early 2030s, and continue to discuss funding options with all parties.”
TfL is also exploring options for a bus transit scheme between Woolwich and Abbey Wood via Thamesmead, further enhancing connectivity in the area.
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