Transport for LondonDocklands Light Railway - Phase 1: Capacity Enhancements
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02/03/2009
Revamped Tower Gateway station opens early
Docklands Light Railway (DLR) today (Monday 2 March) reopened its refurbished Tower Gateway station, two months ahead of schedule.
£13 million of improvements have been made to the station, which had been closed for eight months, including:
- The construction of a horseshoe-style platform, which makes it easier and faster for passengers to get on or off trains;
- platform and track remodelling, to allow longer three-car trains to operate from early 2010;
- the installation of new canopies that will provide better protection from adverse weather conditions;
- new energy-efficient escalators.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "Plaudits must be accorded to everyone involved with this project. Regular DLR users will have missed the station while it was shut but I know they will be pleased to discover an improved service upon their return."
The reopening of Tower Gateway also means DLR can now operate more trains to and from its new Woolwich Arsenal station. During peak times there will be a train from Woolwich every five minutes, on average, instead of every seven. Passengers will also be able to take a direct service from Tower Gateway to Beckton via the ExCeL exhibition and conference centre and the University of East London.
Jonathan Fox, Director DLR, said: "Our new look Tower Gateway station includes many benefits for passengers and I am confident they will be impressed by its improved facilities and better accessibility. Furthermore passengers travelling to Woolwich via London City Airport will enjoy a more frequent peak service, while those heading to Beckton via ExCeL and the University of East London can take advantage of a swift, direct journey.
"It is particularly pleasing to see DLR once again maintain its record of delivering major projects ahead of schedule."
Ian Brown, Managing Director London Rail, said: "This is the first of a series of improvements being finished this year to pave the way for the introduction of three-carriage DLR trains before the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Finishing Tower Gateway is key to our planning for growth on the DLR in the future."
Notes to Editors:
Docklands Light Railway is part of Transport for London;
The DLR Woolwich Arsenal extension was opened by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, on 12 January, seven weeks ahead of schedule;
Off-peak trains will continue to travel to and from Woolwich Arsenal every ten minutes.
The Bank-Lewisham branch of the DLR network will begin running three-carriage trains early next year. The rest of the network will be able to run longer trains from 2011.
