After its first full year of operation the DLR extension south of the river to Woolwich Arsenal has shown early achievements. Research and surveys with residents and local business have shown a wide range of economic and social benefits.
Information about the project's background and development can be found here.
One year after the DLR extension to Woolwich Arsenal opened, a survey was conducted to determine the effect of this new link. A summary of the findings is set out below. The full report can be downloaded here.
Use of the extension
“I can go to Woolwich in the rain now, no more long wet walks to the ferry which offers little shelter.”
“My wife says it’s very good, especially with a pram, because it’s so much easier than using the ferry, so she goes shopping in Woolwich more often.”
“Great for Excel centre, Canary Wharf, Isle of Dogs.”
“We can get to the O2 now.”
Within a few weeks of the Woolwich Arsenal extension opening, more than 40,000 people per week were using the station. During 2009 ridership exceeded the forecast of 11 million journeys, reach 13 million journeys instead.
Two thirds of those surveyed in Woolwich had used the new route and in North Woolwich more than three quarters had used the route to travel to Woolwich.
Over half (56%) of the people surveyed in Woolwich had used the route to make journeys not previously taken.
The overwhelming majority thought since the DLR extension opened, their journeys were easier and cheaper.
In summary, a major North-South link has been created in an area characterised by poor cross river connections, joining up other onward routes. Woolwich Arsenal has opened up the DLR to a very wide market in the South and South East.
Regeneration
“Easier to get places- opened up more opportunities for jobs and leisure.”
“More people are coming to Woolwich now making the high street more profitable, and better shops with luck.”
“Improved job prospects, more new businesses coming up.”
“The DLR has made the area more desirable, I’ve noticed in our clientele, especially the people who live on the arsenal or these flats over here, they will come and have a drink on their way home from work and they are nice people.”
DLR has had a profound impact both on travel and on a greatly improved perception of Woolwich as a place to live and visit. 84% thought that DLR had helped Woolwich improve. As a direct consequence 20% fewer people would now like to move away than compared with the baseline study in 2006.
The town centre amenities are seen as having improved on wide range of measures Woolwich is now seen as better for food shopping, clothes shopping, major stores, independent stores, restaurants, cafes and bars. Perceptions of Woolwich as a place to walk and cycle have improved, and trains and buses are more positively regarded.
DLR has provided a high quality interchange and in addition to an attractive new station, there are a number of surrounding developments. The station faces directly onto a redeveloped General Gordon Square and opens into an expanded market area, with Beresford Square the recipient of extensive refitting to be completed in 2011. The bus stops on Woolwich New Road have been remodelled and the road itself redesigned to reduce through traffic.
For Woolwich residents, access to the Universities of Greenwich and East London is much easier. The impact of the recession makes it difficult to assess the effect of DLR on employment but unemployment has fallen in parts of Woolwich, and particularly among young people.
Equality and Inclusion
“DLR helped me get out and about, to make my music.”
“Would like to get work, so DLR could help me travel further.”
“New job opportunities, gives me hope of finding work as Woolwich is getting better and with Greenwich down the road.”
“I’m going over to the Uni of East London – it’s a better course for me.”
“Brilliant to have an accessible system – it has transformed my life – I used to have “to take taxis – now I go all over the place. (wheelchair user).
There has been an 18% rise in the population of Woolwich Riverside since 2001, and overall the number of 16-29 year olds has risen sharply. Woolwich Arsenal in particular is expensive relative to the rest of Woolwich, most new homes are in higher Council tax bands. But there is still plenty of relatively inexpensive housing, and some existing housing stock is being renewed or refurbished. The observed changes in social indicators are not necessarily an indication of crowding out. There is a gap between the new developments and the existing housing but the economic regeneration appears to be delivering benefits for all and there is still a good mix of independent and high street chain stores.
The perception of crime as a problem has reduced and 60% of people surveyed rate Woolwich as average or better for personal safety. Many people are still deterred from visiting the town in the evening, though footfall figures show the emergence of an evening economy.
Ratings for access for disabled people have improved and comments made it clear that this is due in large part to the DLR. It was also accepted that improvement would be apparent when the road works underway at the time of the survey had been completed.
