A UK railway is set to be expanded, featuring a new tunnel and two additional stations. Officials are seeking public feedback on plans to extend the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) in London, as work on the proposed route continues.
The proposed extension, previously reported to cost around £1.7 billion, would branch off from the existing line after Gallions Reach in southeast London. It would travel through the Beckton Riverside area on a viaduct before descending to a new ground-level station in Beckton Riverside, south of Armada Way. From there, the track would go underground into a tunnel crossing under the River Thames, continuing toward Thamesmead, according to Transport for London (TfL). The track would emerge from the tunnel at Thamesmead onto a viaduct, passing over Twin Tumps and Thamesmere, and terminate at an elevated station in Thamesmead town centre on the current site of Cannon Retail Park.
Funding and Feedback
The Treasury has stated that the majority of the project's costs will be covered by TfL and the Greater London Authority, led by Sir Sadiq Khan, with the government also contributing over the long term. TfL said, "We have continued to work on the designs for the two new stations at Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead. In the previous consultation, we gave you information about where the new stations would be and what they could look like. Since that consultation, we have continued to work on the designs of the new stations, especially how they would integrate and be accessed from the surrounding areas."
Officials have asked locals for their opinions on the continued development of proposals for the DLR extension, including how the two new stations could look and be accessed, information on construction methods, and the impacts on local communities, businesses, and the environment. The feedback will help TfL as it continues to develop its proposals and apply for permission to build and operate the new scheme.
Future Possibilities
The Treasury noted in the autumn Budget: "The government welcomes confirmation that London will deliver the DLR extension to Thamesmead, funded through TfL and GLA borrowing." It added, "The government will continue to work with London to finalise funding details and will continue to work with the GLA to look at options for innovative financing to support the delivery of infrastructure projects in the capital."
Sir Sadiq Khan, who also chairs TfL, was asked earlier this year about a potential extension further into Belvedere by Conservative London Assembly Member Thomas Turrell. The Mayor of London said: "Transport for London’s current focus is on extending the Docklands Light Railway to Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead. While the extension is being designed to enable a further extension beyond Thamesmead in the future, no work is currently being undertaken on any potential further extensions. However, TfL has offered to provide advice to the London Borough of Bexley if they wish to progress the case for a further extension at this time."
