By rosebell
In order to extending the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) ,Transport for London (TfL) after a consultation showed strong support for the project and aims to develop a business case and further plans.
Including a tunnel beneath the River Thames and a new station at Beckton Riverside,the extension stretches from Gallions Reach to Thamesmead, which would build on experience from 2009 when the DLR was extended to Woolwich Arsenal , tunneling beneath the river, with housing growth following in areas including Woolwich, Canning Town, and the Royal Docks.
TfL chief customer and strategy officer Alex Williams welcomed the support from the public and stakeholders for the extension and stated:”We will now progress work on plans for the cross-river extension of the DLR, which could see customers benefit from the early 2030s, and continue to discuss funding options with all parties.”
Through submitting a Strategic Outline Case (SOC) to the government last year, TfL and its partners outlined how an extension of the DLR could transform the area. An interim Outline Business Case (OBC) should be completed in spring next year. The OBC will respond to government feedback to the SOC and form the basis of development and funding discussions.
Considering that at the moment this scheme is unfunded, the work includes developing a funding and financing strategy, which would likely draw on funding from the private and public sectors, including TfL, local, regional and national sources. While the scheduled date for concluding an affordable solution is 2025, construction is slated to begin in 2028 and the extension to inaugurate in the early 2030s.
