Transport for LondonThe Mayor's Transport Strategy says:
'As Docklands has developed, passenger use of the DLR has grown dramatically, particularly over the past three years. The biggest challenge facing DLR is keeping up with this growth. This will require ensuring that the infrastructure can accommodate greater passenger volumes'.
Overview
Bank to Lewisham is the busiest line on the DLR network and will run three-car trains in 2010, a year earlier than the rest of the network. The upgrade to three carriages will accommodate future demand and enhance passenger comfort.
The DLR is now carrying more passengers than ever before, with increases in demand predicted not just in the rush hours but also at other times too. The system currently carries 66 million passengers each year and this is expected to rise to 100 million within the next few years. The majority of the increased patronage is expected to be on the Bank - Lewisham route as more and more employment is created around Canary Wharf and South Quay. Until the implementation of major long-term potential projects, such as Crossrail, public transport to and from the Isle of Dogs is restricted to the Jubilee Line, DLR and local bus services.
With this in mind, DLR has devised a scheme to ensure that sufficient capacity is provided on the existing railway to carry the greater number of passengers predicted in the coming years.
These pages describe DLR proposals for upgrading capacity of the railway on the Bank - Lewisham route.
The aims for the DLR Phase 1: Capacity Enhancement - Bank to Lewisham Project are:
- To provide much needed additional public transport capacity to and from the Isle of Dogs.
- To maintain frequent and reliable services between Bank and Lewisham.
- To provide enhanced comfort for passengers.
- To maintain passenger safety at stations.
- To continue to facilitate sustainable growth in Docklands.
