The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) will be extended to Thamesmead, Rachel Reeves confirmed in the budget.
Although not directly mentioned during the chancellor’s House of Commons speech, the full budget document states: “The government welcomes confirmation that London will deliver the DLR extension to Thamesmead, funded through Transport for London (TfL) and Greater London Authority (GLA) borrowing.”
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has also welcomed the plan, which will provide much-needed public transport links to the south-east London area.
It could also unlock land for 25,000 new homes and create up to 10,000 new jobs.
Where would the DLR be extended to?
The plan would see the line extended from Gallions Reach, near London City Airport, and include a new station at Beckton as well as in Thamesmead itself.
A new tunnel underneath the Thames will link the two new stations together.
Sir Sadiq said the DLR extension “will not only transform travel in a historically under-served part of the capital but also unlock thousands of new jobs and homes, boosting the economy not just locally but nationally”.
The Treasury said: “Extending the DLR to Thamesmead will deliver much-needed new homes, new jobs, and quicker commutes – the building blocks for boosting growth, putting more pounds in pockets.”
It is estimated that the project will cost £1.7bn.
How will this affect journey times?
The new line could see journeys into the City of London cut from an hour to between 35 and 40 minutes, while Stratford would be accessible in 25 minutes and London Bridge in 30 minutes.
Transport for London (TfL) says the additional services could mean trains become busier as existing and new residents around Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead begin to use the DLR.
It says customers will be able to expect a train every 8-10 minutes to/from Thamesmead and Beckton when the extension is complete.
When would the new lines open?
Construction is due to begin as early as 2028, with lines opening to customers in 2030, TfL says.
It said government funding is necessary due to the size of the project.
How could Thamesmead benefit the government?
The site of the proposed DLR station is one of a few remaining undeveloped waterfront sites in London.
As well as housing and jobs, development of the area could generate almost £18bn of private investment.
In September, the chair of the New Towns Taskforce, which was set up to advise the government on the creation of new towns to meet housing demand, recommended Thamesmead as a potential site.
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However, the report stipulated that it could not be considered without the DLR extension being approved.
“If selected as a new town, there would need to be confirmed government support for the DLR extension before it can move forward to delivery. Without this being the case, Thamesmead Waterfront’s opportunity cannot be realised,” the report said.
