The lowdown on London's next major rail project — a DLR extension to Thamesmead.
What is the DLR again?
The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) — so-called because it runs predominantly in London's Dockland's area and uses rolling stock derived from tram technology — opened in 1987. Although as our brief history of the DLR explains, part of the line runs on infrastructure dating back to 1836.
Where does the DLR run?
Two central stations — Bank and Tower Gateway — run east/south-east/north-east to terminuses at Stratford International, Woolwich Arsenal, Lewisham and Beckton. The DLR has already been extended a number of times during its near-40-year history, and now encompasses 45 stations. And it'll soon be 47...
So which part of the DLR is being extended?
The town of Thamesmead — which emerged from the late 1960s onwards, just to the south-east of Beckton across the Thames — has long been given short shrift transport-wise, gaining a reputation as something of an outcast town. In an alternative universe, Thamesmead might've had three railway stations, but instead it ended up with none.
An extension of the DLR — which was first officially proposed by TfL in 2020 — will see a new DLR station at Beckton Riverside, and another at Thamesmead. The Beckton Riverside station will be linked to the existing Gallions Reach station on one side, and to the new Thamesmead station on the other, by a freshly bored tunnel beneath the Thames.
What are the benefits of a DLR extension?
Aside from making the 50,000-odd residents of Thamesmead feel like they're finally hooked up to the rest of London/able to get around faster, other touted benefits are:
- 25,000 new homes in the area, which become viable in the wake of the DLR. Barking Riverside and Thamesmead Waterfront are already being trumpeted as covetable new areas of the near future.
- Joining major new housing projects like those above, will be various shops and amenities, bringing an estimated 10,000 new jobs.
- A boost to London's green credentials; fewer people will be reliant on cars to get around.
- A dedicated bus transit linking Abbey Wood to Woolwich via Thamesmead. This would connect two separate prongs of the DLR, and make it easier for passengers to get to/from National Rail/Elizabeth line services at Woolwich.
Any downsides to the DLR extension?
Other mooted major rail projects in London — including the Bakerloo line extension and West London Orbital will now have to wait their turn. TfL isn't made of money, you know.
So is the DLR extension actually happening?
For a few years now, the proposals have been up in the air, not least because of a lack of TfL funding. However, the Government has now given its blessing in the November 2025 budget. This provides the vital nod that allows TfL to borrow the cash, and get the ball rolling.
And how much will this DLR extension cost?
£1.7bn is the figure that's been given, although we'll eat our hat if the project is completed within budget.
When will the DLR extension be started/completed?
Construction on the extension is expected to begin in 2027 (previously, TfL had a start date of 2028), with the line ready for use by passengers in the early 2030s.
Did I see on the map a label saying "Potential further extension"?
You did. Plans for further extension have not been scoped out in detail, but the new spur has been planned with future growth in mind. Two options have been mooted. First, a loop back round to Abbey Wood to connect with the Elizabeth line. Second, a further thrust to the south-east to reach Belvedere (on lines into London Bridge). Such extensions would probably hinge on whether major housing developments could be used to unlock cash.
Did the DLR just get new trains?
It did — although the first ones were swiftly withdrawn from service due to braking issues. If all 54 of the new trains aren't up and running by the early 2030s, though, something's gone terribly awry.
