Transport for LondonIn 1997, DLR Ltd commissioned consultants to undertake a 'Horizon' study to review potential extensions to the existing network and to develop a ten-year strategy for the development of the railway. The objective was to identify schemes that were technically, financially and economically viable and capable of implementation. The core recommendations of the study were as follows:
- Extend the DLR to London City Airport
- Further extend the City Airport line to Woolwich Arsenal; and
- Create a new DLR route from Canning Town to Stratford through conversion of the existing North London line to DLR operation
Following the Horizon report, the then Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) instructed DLR to undertake studies of the feasibility of an extension serving the proposed Stratford International station on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL).
In December 1998, DLR Ltd commissioned Maunsell Ltd to establish the optimum route and prepare outline engineering designs for the proposed extension of the DLR to Stratford International and to allow for possible future extensions, taking into account engineering, timescale and financial factors.
In June 2002 DLR initiated a review of previous demand modelling and appraisal work for the extension. The work incorporated the latest views and strategic thoughts emerging about development on both the Railway Lands (a large scale mixed use development planned between Stratford station and the planned Stratford International station) and the Arc of Opportunity corridor (an identified regeneration zone which runs from Stratford to Canning Town).
In late 2003, DLR and the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) commissioned a joint study to review options for the future operation of the North London line. In July 2004 DLR received the Government's support to pursue plans for the conversion of the North London line between Canning Town and Stratford.
The aims for the Stratford International Extension are to:
- Act as a catalyst for regeneration in the Lower Lea Valley, bringing forward new jobs, homes, shops and other leisure facilities to the area
- Provide improved public transport capacity, reliability, accessibility and frequency on the corridor between Stratford and Canning Town by converting the North London line to DLR use
- Enable people to take advantage of employment opportunities and amenities in the Lea Valley and other parts of east and south-east London through direct connections to the Royal Docks and Woolwich Arsenal
- Create intermediate stations on the line to serve existing and future communities and provide a new link and station to Stratford International to serve high speed train services calling at this station
- Offer passengers an environmentally friendly alternative to the car and significantly improve orbital journey opportunities between north, north-east, east and south-east London; and
- Meet the travel demands associated with the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
