Transport for London is asking for the public’s views on a Docklands Light Railway extension to Thamesmead – and has hinted that the line could eventually be extended further, towards Belvedere.
A consultation into the proposals was launched on Monday morning, although it is light on detail on the exact route it would take to serve new developments at Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead Waterfront, which is the prime aim of the extension.
The extension, which could cost as much as £1.7 billion, according to data given to Newham councillors last year, would need at least some cash from the government to go ahead. It could be finished in 2033. TfL hopes that it would help between 25,000-30,000 new homes to be built – about 15,000 of those in Thamesmead – and the creation of 10,000 jobs.
Trains would branch off the current Tower Gateway-Beckton line after Gallions Reach to serve the two new developments, crossing the Thames in a tunnel. Past documents have indicated that the Thamesmead stop would be where the Cannon Retail Park is now.
TfL says in the consultation that a further extension towards Belvedere could be on the cards at a later date – but adds such a link would be too expensive at present.
“We also considered potential onward extensions of the DLR from Thamesmead to locations in Bexley [borough], including Belvedere,” it says in the consultation documents.
“While beneficial, these longer routes would add significant costs, without delivering significant amounts of additional housing or journey time improvements. This is because these areas are already served by the existing rail network, which provides them with faster routes into central London.
“Whilst we are not progressing this option at this time, we could design our preferred option so that the line could be extended at a later date.”
Bexley Council said last year in its local plan — its statement of how it wants the borough to develop in coming years — that a terminal could be built close to the existing National Rail station, although its plans for new homes there are in the hundreds rather than the thousands TfL would need to justify an extension.
TfL has also again ruled out an option that has been backed by some in the area, including former Greenwich Council leader Denise Hyland – an extension of the London Overground from Barking Riverside to Thamesmead.
“Services would only operate at around four trains per hour compared with the potential for up to 15 trains per hour in the peak with a DLR extension,” it says. “This level of service would be less attractive for Thamesmead, whilst Beckton Riverside would not be served at all, and therefore these options would be significantly less effective in supporting new homes.”
Overground routes to Woolwich, Abbey Wood and Belvedere were modelled, but no details have been given about what the costs would have been. Last month Sadiq Khan, the London mayor, said there was no cash to pay for electric ferries that could run between Barking and Thamesmead.
A bus transit network is also planned for Thamesmead and was given £23 million of funding in chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s autumn statement last year. A separate consultation will follow at a later date, TfL says.
Greenwich Council has been calling for a Docklands Light Railway link to Thamesmead since the original DLR opened in 1987. The line to Greenwich and Lewisham followed in 1999 and the Woolwich extension opened in 2009.
Averil Lekau, the council’s deputy leader, said: “Thamesmead deserves improved connectivity. This DLR extension is about unlocking potential, making it is easier, safer and greener to move around the borough and the rest of London.
“It will encourage more people to use public transport, which is essential to helping us cut our carbon emissions and achieving our carbon neutral plan. We brought the Elizabeth Line to Woolwich and Abbey Wood and together we can bring the DLR to Thamesmead.”
The consultation into the DLR link asks what impact an extension would make on residents’ journeys in southeast and east London.To take part, visit haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk before March 18.
Updated on Tuesday to clarify where the £1.7 billion figure comes from.
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