The concept of the DLR extension to Stratford International began by identifying the potential of the under-utilised North London line corridor between Canning Town and Stratford to support regeneration in the Lower Lea Valley Opportunity Area. The North London line corridor also provided the opportunity to link the existing Stratford station to the new Stratford International station built as part of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link project.
A joint study with the Strategic Rail Authority explored alternatives to upgrading the North London line corridor. It concluded that converting the corridor to DLR Operation would provide the best benefits, with additional stations to support local regeneration and accessibility to the rest of the DLR network with greater value for money. Subsequently with the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games being awarded to London, the new DLR extension to Stratford International would provide high frequency, high capacity links between the Olympic Park at Stratford and the Games venues - Excel at Custom House and Royal Artillery Barracks at Woolwich Arsenal.
This allowed the proposal to extend the DLR to Stratford International to successfully be granted a Transport and Works Act Order in 2006.