Residents in South London are rallying for a significant expansion of the Docklands Light Railway, with new momentum behind a push to extend the network beyond its planned terminus in Thamesmead and into the borough of Bexley.
Overwhelming Public Backing for Thamesmead Link
A major public consultation run by Transport for London (TfL) has revealed strong local appetite for the proposed extension. The consultation, which ran from 23 June to 17 August this year, found that 77 per cent of respondents support building a new DLR station in Thamesmead town centre.
Similar levels of approval were recorded for the preceding sections of the route, with 66 per cent backing the extension to Beckton Riverside and 76 per cent supporting the general expansion from Gallions Reach. The project, which is slated to open in 2032, received a crucial boost from the government in the Autumn Budget in November.
Funding and Future-Proofing for Bexley
The ambitious scheme is expected to carry a price tag of approximately £1.7 billion. Financing will be secured through borrowing by TfL and the Greater London Authority, with the Treasury potentially contributing to long-term loan repayments. The government's support is tied to the project's role in unlocking the construction of 25,000 to 30,000 new homes and creating 10,000 extra jobs.
Notably, the consultation feedback went beyond the immediate plans. Many Londoners who participated suggested that the DLR should be extended even further east from Thamesmead to serve Bexley. In response, TfL confirmed that while the current focus is firmly on delivering the Thamesmead link, the design will allow for the possibility of a future extension to Bexley.
A Transformative Project for London
TfL is modelling the project on the successful framework of its 2009 DLR expansion to Woolwich Arsenal, which spurred major housing growth in areas like Woolwich and the Royal Docks. The Thamesmead plans also include a £23 million government-funded initiative to connect the new DLR station to the Elizabeth line at Abbey Wood via the proposed Superloop SL11 bus route.
Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, hailed the government's backing. “I’m really pleased that the Government is backing the DLR extension to Thamesmead - something I’ve long called for alongside London’s businesses and communities,” he said. “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.”
The clear public mandate and high-level political support now pave the way for this major transport investment, with an eye on serving even more South London communities in the decades to come.
