Transport for LondonDocklands Light Railway - Phase 1: Capacity Enhancements
Skip to navigationProject Updates - Details
17/10/2005
DLR three car trains move forward
There was good news today for DLR passengers as a multi-million pound project to run three-car trains to increase capacity on the network had its Transport and Works Act Application formally approved by Government.
Drawing on more than £100m of Transport for London's five-year £10 billion Investment Programme, the project will see new trains on the network by 2009 and 24 vehicles have already been ordered. A separate contract for the expansion of the DLR depot at Beckton was recently finalised.
Jonathan Fox, Director of Docklands Light Railway, said:
"This is great news for DLR and our growing number of passengers. This railway is key to the continued economic growth of east London and will play a major role in the 2012 Olympics. Today's decision by Transport Minister Stephen Ladyman means that our plans are well on track to meet future demand."
An Application under the Transport and Works Act (TWA) was submitted in June 2004 followed by a Public Inquiry which closed in April this year and DLR planners are pleased that approval has been granted so quickly. Approval of the TWA Application gives planning permission and other statutory powers required to deliver the project.
Tenders for the major construction works on DLR's busiest route between Bank and Lewisham, including lengthening platforms and a new station at South Quay will be issued in Spring 2006. Works are due to start early in 2007 and are scheduled for completion in Autumn 2009.
DLR expects to be carrying 80 million passengers a year by 2009 and will be opening its extension to London City Airport (December 2005), Woolwich Arsenal (2009) and Stratford International (early 2010). The forward planning of this major project will ensure that DLR is ready to manage the increasing number of passengers that these extensions will bring.
