By Lynda Myer
The plan of developing the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), with a potential new branch under the River Thames, has been presented to the government by Transport for London (TfL) and its partners have submitted a Strategic Outline Case (SOC).
Connecting link Gallions Reach in east London to Thamesmead in south-east London, via Beckton Riverside, as part of plans for new transport links, homes and regeneration, would be one of the advantages of this proposed extension, whereas Thamesmead and Beckton Riverside are the heart of London’s major growth areas and are a priority for regeneration and economic development.
The responsibility of advancing this plan is up to TfL with cooperation of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, London Borough of Newham and three landowners – Thamesmead Waterfront (a Peabody and Lendlease joint venture), abrdn (formerly Aberdeen Standard Investments) and St William (a Berkeley Group company).
Additionally, TfL has been continuous engagement with Homes England, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the Department for Transport.
Including tunneling beneath the Thames, the DLR extension to Thamesmead would constructe on experience from 2009 when the network was extended to Woolwich Arsenal.
According to TfL: “Providing the infrastructure for London’s growth was vital to ensure viable alternatives to cars, helping Londoners to access public transport and preventing congestion which could have a negative impact on air quality, public health and economic performance. Investment to support growth and regeneration is one of TfL’s capital investment priorities, alongside asset and rolling stock renewals and upgrades, decarburization and mitigating the delays to HS2.”
With the aim of identifying options for maximizing local and regional funding, as well as driving cost and creating efficiencies, the scale of the projects mean some government support will be required.
Private and public sector bodies with an interest in regenerating the area have provided the funding for the feasibility work, while the SOC reflects this work and the scale of opportunity at Thamesmead and Beckton Riverside. In order to supporting the further feasibility work and build a strong business case, the partnership has committed to further funding contributions, alongside requesting further government funding.
Also TfL and the Greater London Authority (GLA) as well as other partners have gathered a further £6m budget.
Considering that it is intended to commence the construction process in 2028 an affordable solution is slated to be agreed by 2025 so the DLR extension inaugurate in the early 2030s.
