Docklands Light Railway extension to Thamesmead

Thamesmead, built on former marshland on the south bank of the River Thames in East London, was developed by the Greater London Council from the 1960s onwards to meet the demand from Londoners for social housing.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bexley.gov.uk/sites/bexley-cms/files/Thamesmead-local-history-article.pdf|title=Thamesmead local history|website=London Borough of Bexley|access-date=17 April 2020}} As part of the initial development of the area in the 1970s, the area was intended to be served by the (then) Fleet line and an infill railway station at Church Manor Way. However, plans for the railway station never came to fruition, and the Jubilee line was only extended to Stratford in 1999, with passive provision at North Greenwich for a second branch which would have a route to Thamesmead via the former North London line to North Woolwich, which itself is now used by Crossrail.{{cite book|last=Horne|first=Mike|title=The Jubilee Line|publisher=Capital Transport|year=2000|isbn=978-1-85414-220-7|pages=50–52}} As a result of these developments, Thamesmead remains not directly served by railway services of any kind, with the closest stations being Plumstead, Abbey Wood and Belvedere. Furthermore, the area is in the centre of a {{Convert|22|km|mi|abbr=}} gap in major road crossings of the River Thames – with planned road crossings at nearby Gallions Reach and Belvedere never built.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/content/articles/2008/10/08/london_thamesmead_s14_w4_feature.shtml|title=Inside Out London – Thamesmead|last=BBC|date=8 October 2008|website=www.bbc.co.uk|language=en-gb|access-date=2020-04-17}}

Limited passive provision is present in the Docklands Light Railway extension to Woolwich Arsenal for a junction to Thamesmead as of 2005,{{Cite web|title=DLR 2020 Horizon Study|url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/18439/response/46991/attach/4/Report%20Horizon%202020%20Final%20Issue.pdf|url-status=live|website=What Do They Know|date=23 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108214018/http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/18439/response/46991/attach/4/Report%20Horizon%202020%20Final%20Issue.pdf |archive-date=8 November 2011 }} however following the cancellation of the Docklands Light Railway extension to Dagenham Dock and the Thames Gateway Bridge in 2008, TfL considered other ways to assist with the development of the Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead areas throughout the 2010s.{{Cite web |date=4 October 2016 |title=DLR extension to provide 11,500-home Thamesmead boost |url=https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/dlr-extension-to-provide-11500-home-thamesmead-boost-48239 |access-date=2020-04-17 |website=Inside Housing |language=En}}{{Cite web |last=Mayor of London |author-link=Mayor of London |date=2016-10-10 |title=East London Crossings (8) |url=https://www.london.gov.uk/questions/2016/3797 |access-date=2020-04-17 |website=Mayor's Question Time |language=en}} Options proposed included:

• new downstream river crossings such as the Silvertown Tunnel, Gallions Reach Crossing and Belvedere Crossing{{Cite web|url=https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/rivercrossings/east-of-silvertown/?cid=east-london-crossings|title=Have your say on new river crossings in east and southeast London – Transport for London – Citizen Space|website=consultations.tfl.gov.uk|access-date=2020-04-17}}
• an extension of Crossrail east of Abbey Wood{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=December 2020 |title=Thamesmead and Abbey Wood OAPF – OAPF Transport Strategy |url=https://data.london.gov.uk/download/thamesmead-and-abbey-wood-opportunity-area-documents/f0400b1e-3e1b-41a3-9b1b-73399c4280ad/TAW_Appendix%20A_TransportStrategy.pdf |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=17 April 2020 |website=London.gov.uk |publisher=Greater London Authority |pages=25–26}}
• dedicated high frequency bus services – similar to the Greenwich Waterfront Transit proposal cancelled in 2009{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=26 February 2019|title=Greenwich Waterfront Transit: the history, cancellation and rebirth|url=https://www.fromthemurkydepths.co.uk/2019/02/26/greenwich-waterfront-transit-the-history-cancellation-and-rebirth1/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921024610/https://www.fromthemurkydepths.co.uk/2019/02/26/greenwich-waterfront-transit-the-history-cancellation-and-rebirth1/ |archive-date=21 September 2020 |access-date=2020-12-28|website=From the Murky Depths|language=en-US}}
• an extension of the Gospel Oak to Barking line south from Barking Riverside{{cite news|url=http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/11488390.display/|title=Call to bring London Overground to Thamesmead – south east London's largest town with no trains|date=22 September 2014|work=This is London Local}}{{Cite news|last=Dudman|first=Jane|url=https://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2014/aug/01/boris-johnsons-london-orbital-railway-is-it-a-good-idea|title=Boris Johnson's London orbital railway – is it a good idea?|date=2014-08-01|work=The Guardian|access-date=2020-04-17|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}
• an extension of the DLR east from Beckton.{{Cite web|url=https://www.london.gov.uk/questions/2014/2072|title=DLR Extension to Thamesmead and Bexley Riverside|last=Mayor of London|author-link=Mayor of London|date=2014-06-02|website=Mayor's Question Time|language=en|access-date=2020-04-17}}{{cite web|url=https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/mayor-commits-to-east-london-crossings|title=Mayor commits to building greener, public transport-focused crossings|website=London City Hall|access-date=16 April 2018}}

Following the approval of the Silvertown Tunnel in 2018,{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Improvements and Projects – Silvertown Tunnel|url=https://www.tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/silvertown-tunnel|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812021145/http://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/silvertown-tunnel |archive-date=12 August 2014 |access-date=2020-12-21|website=Transport for London|language=en-GB}} local campaigners pushed for public transport improvements in the area.{{Cite web|last=Lydall|first=Ross|date=2019-11-25|title=£1bn Silvertown tunnel contract is finally signed|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/silvertown-tunnel-ps1bn-contract-is-finally-signed-a4295951.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506030756/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/silvertown-tunnel-ps1bn-contract-is-finally-signed-a4295951.html |archive-date=6 May 2021 |access-date=2020-12-21|website=Evening Standard|language=en}} In March 2018, the Mayor's Transport Strategy proposed an extension of the DLR towards Thamesmead and Barking town centre.{{cite web |author1=Mayor of London |date=March 2018 |title=Mayor's Transport Strategy |url=https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/mayors-transport-strategy-2018.pdf |access-date=25 June 2023 |publisher=Greater London Authority |page=259}}

Plans for development in Thamesmead continued, with Peabody and Lendlease announcing an £8bn regeneration project in 2019 with over 11,500 new homes to be built.{{Cite web|title=Peabody picks Lendlease for £8bn Thamesmead regeneration|url=https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/peabody-picks-lendlease-for-8bn-thamesmead-regeneration-60192|access-date=2020-04-17|website=Inside Housing|language=En}} Developers on the south side of the river also pushed for development, with Aberdeen Standard Investments proposing the redevelopment of Gallions Reach Shopping Park.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2 March 2018|title=GREATER LONDON AUTHORITY – DECEMBER 2017 DRAFT LONDON PLAN REPRESENTATIONS ON BEHALF OF STANDARD LIFE INVESTMENTS GALLIONS REACH SHOPPING PARK, ARMADA WAY, LONDON, E6 7ER|url=https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Standard%20Life%20Investments%20-%20Montagu%20Evans%20%283168%29.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614143314/https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Standard%20Life%20Investments%20-%20Montagu%20Evans%20(3168).pdf |archive-date=14 June 2020 |access-date=22 January 2021|website=Greater London Authority}}

In December 2019, a DLR extension to Thamesmead was formally proposed by TfL as part of the draft Thamesmead and Abbey Wood OAPF,{{Cite web|url=https://www.bexleytimes.co.uk/news/transports-plans-for-bexley-1-6491008|title=See DLR extension plans for Thamesmead and Abbey Wood|last=Leeming|first=Lachlan|website=Bexley Times|language=en|access-date=2020-04-17|archive-date=29 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929022050/https://www.bexleytimes.co.uk/news/transports-plans-for-bexley-1-6491008|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |last=Chamberlain |first=Darryl |date=2019-02-15 |title=TfL lifts lid on possible Thamesmead DLR extension |url=https://853.london/2019/02/15/tfl-lifts-lid-on-possible-thamesmead-dlr-extension/ |access-date=2020-04-17 |website=853 |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Workshops about the future of Thamesmead and Abbey Wood opened to public |url=https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/18202007.workshops-future-thamesmead-abbey-wood-opened-public/ |access-date=2020-04-17 |website=News Shopper |date=31 January 2020 |language=en}} with proposed stations at Armada Riverside in Beckton and Thamesmead.{{Cite web|url=https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/commonplace-customer-assets/thamesmeadandabbeywoodframework/AppendixE_TAW_TransportStrategy.pdf|title=Thamesmead and Abbey Wood OAPF – OAPF Transport Strategy – December 2019 Draft|date=December 2019|publisher=Greater London Authority|access-date=17 April 2020}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=21 December 2020 |title=Thamesmead and Abbey Wood Opportunity Area |url=https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/planning/implementing-london-plan/opportunity-areas/opportunity-areas/thamesmead-abbey |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026210301/http://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/planning/implementing-london-plan/opportunity-areas/opportunity-areas/thamesmead-abbey |archive-date=26 October 2016 |access-date=21 December 2020 |website=London.gov.uk |publisher=Greater London Authority}} An extension of the DLR was proposed instead of an extension of the Overground from Barking Riverside, as an Overground extension would have lower connectivity benefits, cost more to operate, have a low frequency of trains (4 per hour) and a construction cost twice as much as a DLR extension as the gradients required to cross the River Thames would require large scale tunnelling works when compared to the DLR.

In September 2020, the extension was included in the long term funding submission by TfL to HM Government. The document noted that the extension would cost around £800m, with completion between 2026 and 2030.{{Cite web|date=30 September 2020|title=TfL's Spending Review Prospectus – September 2020|url=http://content.tfl.gov.uk/fc-20200930-supp-agenda-public.pdf|access-date=30 September 2020|website=Transport for London|pages=9–45}} Following adoption of the OAPF in late 2020, further feasibility and technical work began, funded wholly by landowners and local boroughs.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=TfL Press Release – TfL and its partners commence further feasibility work on extending DLR into Thamesmead to support new homes and growth |url=https://tfl-newsroom.prgloo.com/news/tfl-press-release-tfl-and-its-partners-commence-further-feasibility-work-on-extending-dlr-into-thamesmead-to-support-new-homes-and-growth |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127194754/https://tfl-newsroom.prgloo.com/news/tfl-press-release-tfl-and-its-partners-commence-further-feasibility-work-on-extending-dlr-into-thamesmead-to-support-new-homes-and-growth |archive-date=27 January 2021 |access-date=2020-12-21 |website=tfl-newsroom.prgloo.com |publisher=Transport for London}}{{Cite web|date=21 December 2020|title=TfL and partners commence feasibility work on extending DLR into Thamesmead|url=https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2020/december/tfl-and-partners-commence-f-feasibility-work-on-extending-dlr-into-thamesmead|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221114619/https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2020/december/tfl-and-partners-commence-f-feasibility-work-on-extending-dlr-into-thamesmead |archive-date=21 December 2020 |access-date=2020-12-21|website=Transport for London|language=en-GB}} In 2022, the extension was included in the draft London Borough of Newham Local Plan, which proposed "a new city district" at Beckton Riverside, connected by the extension.{{Cite web |date=December 2022 |title=London Borough of Newham - Draft Local Plan (Regulation 18) for Consultation |url=https://www.newham.gov.uk/downloads/file/5486/newham-local-plan-december-2022-web-final |website=London Borough of Newham |quote=a new Town Centre, connected by a DLR extension, at Beckton Riverside/Gallions Reach. Here, a new city district will provide homes, community facilities, modern industrial jobs and access to nature and the Thames.}}

In June 2023, the Strategic Outline Business Case for the extension was submitted to HM Government.{{Cite web |last=Transport for London |author-link=Transport for London |date=May 2023 |title=Thamesmead & Beckton Riverside Public Transport Programme – Strategic Outline Case |url=https://mgov.newham.gov.uk/documents/s162785/Appendix%201%20-%20Mastercopy%20Short%20form%20Business%20Case%20-%20Final.pdf |access-date=27 April 2023 |website=London Borough of Newham}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=16 June 2023 |title=TfL and partners progress public transport proposals to unlock Thamesmead and Beckton Riverside |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2023/june/tfl-and-partners-progress-public-transport-proposals-to-unlock-thamesmead-and-beckton-riverside |access-date=2023-06-25 |website=Transport for London |language=en-GB}} It noted that a DLR extension to Thamesmead could allow between 25,000 and 30,000 homes to be constructed. Three options would be considered in the next stage:

• Bus rapid transit between Woolwich and Abbey Wood, around {{Convert|6|km|mi}} in length
• DLR extension to a new station at Beckton Riverside, around {{Convert|1|km|mi}} in length
• DLR extension with stations at Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead, a tunnel underneath the River Thames, around {{Convert|3|km|mi}} in length

The business case noted that a DLR extension to Thamesmead could cost between £700 million to £1.2 billion, and could be completed in the 2030s. The next step would be seeking government funding to develop the scheme further, with a full business case submitted in 2025.{{Cite web |last=Vickers |first=Noah |date=2023-06-16 |title=Plans for DLR extension to Thamesmead take vital step forward |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/dlr-thamesmead-docklands-light-railway-beckton-riverside-sadiq-khan-london-b1088301.html |access-date=2023-06-25 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}} In February 2024, TfL began public consultation on the project, proposing an extension of the DLR to Thamesmead via Beckton Riverside, as outlined in the business case.{{Cite web |title=Extending the Docklands Light Railway to Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead {{!}} Have Your Say Transport for London |url=https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/dlr-extension?cid=email_FINAL_TFL1385_DLR_extension_consultation-online+consultation+page |access-date=2024-02-05 |website=haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk}}{{Cite web |last=Vickers |first=Noah |date=2024-02-05 |title=Londoners to have their say on plans for cross-river DLR extension |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/tfl-dlr-extension-thamesmead-consultation-beckton-riverside-belvedere-london-docklands-light-railway-b1137123.html |access-date=2024-02-05 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}}

{{As of|2024|February}}, the proposed route of the DLR extension would diverge off the Beckton branch just after Gallions Reach, turning east to pass around Beckton Depot before Beckton Riverside station in Beckton. The route would then continue to head southeast, tunnelling under the river before arriving at Thamesmead station. The 2024 consultation noted that the line could, in the future, be extended further to Belvedere or elsewhere in the London Borough of Bexley in the future.{{Cite web |title=FAQs {{!}} Extending the Docklands Light Railway to Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead {{!}} Have Your Say Transport for London |url=https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/dlr-extension/widgets/83880/faqs |access-date=2024-02-05 |website=haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk |quote=We have considered several options for an extension of the DLR, including potential onward extensions from Thamesmead to locations in Bexley, such as Belvedere.}}

In 2021, TfL noted that the DLR could be extended further in future, perhaps to Abbey Wood.{{Cite web |last=Hakimian |first=Rob |date=2021-11-03 |title=TfL could extend DLR as far as Abbey Wood |url=https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/tfl-considering-extending-dlr-as-far-as-abbey-wood-03-11-2021/#:~:text=Extending%20the%20DLR%20to%20Abbey,despite%20a%20lack%20of%20funds. |access-date=2024-11-02 |website=New Civil Engineer |language=en}} In May 2024, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan stated the extension would be built in such a way as to enable future continuation of the route towards Belvedere.{{Cite web |last=Menteth |first=Thames |date=2024-06-14 |title=Plans being considered for further DLR extension to Belvedere |url=https://www.geplus.co.uk/news/plans-being-considered-for-further-dlr-extension-to-belvedere-14-06-2024/ |access-date=2024-11-02 |website=Ground Engineering |language=en |quote=“A further DLR extension to Belvedere has been considered and would bring additional benefits in addition to the extension to Thamesmead,” he said. Khan added: “Given funding constraints, the extension to Thamesmead must be delivered first. However, it will be designed in such a way as to provide opportunity for a further extension in the future.”}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Docklands Light Railway}}

Category:Proposed railway stations in England

Category:Transport for London

Category:Proposed railway lines in London

Category:Docklands Light Railway stations in the Royal Borough of Greenwich

Category:Docklands Light Railway stations in the London Borough of Newham