DLR: providing light relief across east London

In line with the substantial construction projects currently taking place around its network, Docklands Light Railway (DLR) is now in the process of the most intensive programme of enhancement and improvement works in its 21-year history.

DLR, renowned for its driverless trains, has long set the standard in terms of upgrading and expanding its system in the now-thriving Docklands and south-east areas of London.

Around £850 million, sourced via the Transport for London (TfL) Investment Programme and Olympic Delivery Authority, is being spent upgrading the railway in order to:

• Meet passenger demand, now at an all-time high of almost 70 million users per year
• Link to further areas in and around DLR’s network
• Ensure spectators can be swiftly and efficiently carried to London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic competition venues

DLR’s ever-increasing user numbers have resulted in part due to its consistently excellent punctuality levels – an average of over 96% of trains arrive within three minutes of the scheduled time, the best for rail in mainland UK – and overall customer satisfaction levels, at 96%. Meanwhile, DLR continues to assist regeneration in locations that previously suffered from poor transport links while directly serving prominent commuter areas such as Canary Wharf.

Accordingly the railway has had to anticipate how to accommodate current and future demand, while concurrently assisting local regeneration efforts by extending to areas that suffer from a lack of public transportation. The following initiatives in this article summarise how these aims are being achieved.

Two becomes three

In order to safely and comfortably accommodate growing passenger numbers, and maintain a frequent and reliable service, work is underway on capacity enhancements that will enable DLR to lengthen its trains from two to three carriages on its busiest route, Bank to Lewisham. The extended trains are due to start running in April 2010.

Additionally DLR has successfully applied to allow three-carriage trains to operate across the rest of the railway’s network; the related works will begin on DLR’s Stratford route later this year and on the DLR’s Beckton extension – providing the necessary funding can be sourced for this line.

In order to achieve a three-car service and meet the additional demand for the Olympics, 55 new rail cars will be added to the DLR fleet over the course of the next two years. The first rail car will enter service in August 2008.

Next stop Woolwich Arsenal

A DLR extension to Woolwich Arsenal is now beginning to near completion. The 2.5km twin tunnel link will run under the Thames from DLR King George V station and connect with Woolwich town centre.

Due to open in early 2009, the route will provide significantly improved transportation for the surrounding community, connecting Woolwich to London City Airport in five minutes, Canary Wharf in 19 minutes and Bank in 27 minutes. Local residents will benefit from improved access to employment and education opportunities, and Woolwich and the surrounding southern Royal Docks will see the creation of new jobs, homes, shops and leisure facilities.

The station will be heavily used during the 2012 Games as the Olympic shooting events will take place at the nearby Woolwich Artillery.

Extending to Stratford International

DLR is now 18 months into a programme to extend to Stratford International, the main site of the 2012 Games. The route, which is projected to open in 2010, is being established by converting the former North London Line tracks between Canning Town and Stratford to DLR operation. The extension will encompass existing stations at Canning Town, West Ham and Stratford, and new stations at Star Lane, Abbey Road, Stratford High Street and Stratford International, the latter serving the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.

The line will offer a more frequent and reliable service to that previously in place and provide capacity and flexibility for future local growth, where projections for job and housing growth are particularly striking.

The new DLR station at Stratford International station will allow direct access to the Olympic Park and provide immediate interchange with Channel Tunnel Rail Link services.

Onwards to Dagenham

Looking ahead, DLR has recently submitted an application for powers to extend the railway once again, this time further east to Dagenham Dock.

The extension is proposed to consist of five new stations – Beckton Riverside, Creekmouth, Barking Riverside, Goresbrook and Dagenham Dock – which will assist with the delivery of sustainable growth and regeneration by serving extensive planned and approved riverside developments.

A public inquiry into the scheme will be heard later this year, with a view to the line opening in 2016 – subject to funding being secured.

Lighting the way

Since opening, DLR has grown and developed more quickly than any other railway in the UK, while maintaining unprecedented levels of reliability and customer services. In carrying out these works, DLR anticipates it will continue to offer a first-class service to current and future passengers alike.

Meanwhile, with the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games now on the horizon, the next few years will provide a unique and exciting challenge, which DLR is confident of meeting.