Major Transport Boost for South East London
Londoners are set to benefit from a significant transport upgrade as the Docklands Light Railway network prepares for a major expansion. The long-awaited £1.7 billion extension, which failed to secure funding in previous budgets, has now received government backing and is expected to be formally approved in the autumn budget.
The project will create a new link between Thamesmead and Beckton Riverside along the River Thames, addressing what Mayor Sadiq Khan describes as historically underserved areas. Both locations have been identified among London's most deprived boroughs, with limited public transport options currently available.
New Stations and Route Details
The extension will see the DLR line stretch from Gallions Reach station, with a new station constructed in the Beckton Riverside area. A significant engineering feat will involve building a new tunnel under the River Thames to connect to another new station in Thamesmead.
There's also potential for the line to be extended further into Bexley in future development phases. For Thamesmead residents, this represents a transformational change - the area currently lacks both Tube and Overground services, forcing commuters to rely on bus connections to Abbey Wood for Elizabeth line and rail services.
Transformed Journey Times and Economic Benefits
The transport improvements will deliver substantial time savings for commuters. Journeys from Thamesmead to Stratford are expected to reduce from 45-55 minutes to just 25-30 minutes, while travel to Liverpool Street could be cut from 60 minutes to 35-40 minutes.
Beyond commuting benefits, the project has been hailed as crucial for economic growth. The extension is projected to unlock up to 30,000 new homes and create approximately 10,000 jobs, providing a significant boost to both local and national economies.
A Treasury source confirmed the project's likely approval, emphasising it would deliver 'much-needed new homes, new jobs, and quicker commutes.' Mayor Khan welcomed the decision, stating: 'The project is a win-win and a massive vote of confidence in London. It will not only transform travel in a historically underserved part of the capital but also unlock thousands of new jobs and homes.'
Local MP Abena Oppong-Asare described the development as 'a huge step forward for Thamesmead,' acknowledging that residents have been 'cut off from the transport links that much of London takes for granted.'
With construction expected to take several years, the new DLR stations and line extension are projected to open by 2032. To bridge the gap until completion, the Mayor has committed to launching a new Superloop bus route connecting Abbey Wood, Thamesmead, Woolwich and North Greenwich, set to begin service in January.
