Docklands Light Railway - Woolwich Arsenal Extension

On 12 January 2009 the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, officially opened the extension of the DLR from North Woolwich to Woolwich Arsenal. Within this section you will find information about the background and development of the project.

Background

In 1997 Docklands Light Railway Limited (DLRL) commissioned a study to review potential extensions of the railway to form part of a 10 year development strategy. As a result of this study DLRL began work on developing a route for a DLR extension to Woolwich Arsenal as a continuation of a proposed line to London City Airport.

In November 2000 the Mayor of London announced his policy to promote the DLR extension to Woolwich Arsenal. After this announcement DLRL then began to prepare an application for a Transport and Works Act Order which would allow construction of the project to commence.

The objectives of the DLR extension to Woolwich Arsenal are:

1. To create a new link that will significantly improve access for the communities of Woolwich, Silvertown and North Woolwich by providing an alternative crossing of the Thames River and assisting a sustainable shift from car to public transport travel.
2. To provide a new direct rail connection from Woolwich to the City, Canary Wharf and London City Airport, enhancing access to jobs and amenities.
3. Provide a catalyst for regeneration of Woolwich town centre and the southern Royal Docks which will bring new jobs, homes and leisure facilities to those areas.

Option Development

Four options for a tunnelled route from the King George V station were assessed using government transport appraisal guidance. The preferred route consisted of a 2.5 twin bored tunnel to a new sub-surface station next to the existing Network Rail station at Woolwich Arsenal, with entrances at Greens End and Woolwich New Road. It was selected due to the following conclusions:

1. It has a positive impact on Woolwich town centre
2. It has the highest degree of integration with the town centre and potential for development over the station
3. It limited the number of properties required for demolition to accommodate the new station
4. It has the best potential to increase public transport accessibility and interchange with other services

Consultation

Several stages of public consultation was undertaken in conjunction with the planning phases of the project. DLRL also worked closely with key stakeholders throughout the project.

Phase 1 of consultation sought the views of local residents and business on the principle of the DLR extension. An overwhelming 95% of respondents agreed that the DLR extension would be an improvement for the area. Phase 2 of the consultation took place when the project developed further, with 90% of respondents agreeing that DLRL's preferred route was the best option. Open days were held with the project team available to discuss details with members of the local community both north and south of the river. The consultation culminated with a statutory consultation period after DLRL formally applied for the Transport and Works Act Order. A public inquiry was held in early 2003 for a duration of 2 weeks and in early 2004 the Secretary of State awarded the Order.

Construction

DLRL awarded a 30 year concession to design, build, finance and maintain the extension to Woolwich Arsenal to a joint venture company formed by AMEC plc and the Royal Bank of Scotland, known as Woolwich Arsenal Railway Enterprises (or WARE). This procurement was previously used for the DLR extensions to Lewisham (1999) and London City Airport (2005).Construction of the Woolwich Arsenal extension began in June 2005. A 540 tonne boring machine (nicknamed Carla) was used to tunnel under the Thames from north of the river, breaking through on the south in July 2007. Carla removed about 104,000 cubic metres of material - enough to fill around 1,100 double-decker buses.On the weekend of 25/26 October 2008 test trains began operation between the new extension and the existing railway to allow changes to the DLR's Automatic Train Control system to be comissioned. After successful simulations the new Woolwich Arsenal station was opened for passenger use on 10 January 2009, over a month earlier than the scheduled contract date.

Stations

Woolwich Arsenal is DLR's 40th station to be added to the network. It provides the following facilities to passengers:

• Interchange for Southeastern trains to London via a footbridge from the upper concourse, and direct platform access for trains towards Kent.
• Escalators and step-free access to platforms via lifts
• Staff are present at all times and CCTV throughout the station
• Coffee shop and retail outlet
• Public art by Michael Craig Martin

Service patterns

Trains operate at least every 10 minutes towards Bank.

Journey times from Woolwich Arsenal station:

* Interchange at Canning Town Jubilee Line

Transport, Environment & Regeneration

The DLR extension to Woolwich Arsenal has increased public transport accessibility, triggered regeneration and has had environmental benefits. This is summarised on the Benefits and Successes page.

The DLR extension will also service the Royal Artillery Barracks, the venue for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic shooting events. More information about the DLR's role during 2012 Games is included here.