DLR Thamesmead extension - the logical conclusion

[Benjwri]

Looks like the extension is getting backing in the Budget:

Treasury expected to back extending London's DLR to Thamesmead

BBC London understands Rachel Reeves is to use next week's budget to give the project the go-ahead.

www.bbc.co.uk

Sadiq Khan has reposted an article on X, effectively confirming this.

NEW: Fantastic news for London - the DLR extension to Thamesmead is going ahead with Government backing.

It’s something I’ve long called for, will create jobs for Londoners and help deliver tens of thousands of new homes across our city ⬇️

 

[cle]

It's fiiiine - I guess. Depends on how much home-building it spurs on. Some of the smaller devts along the Woolwich branch, near city airport, are quite nice. But existing Thamesmead is a slum-relocation vibe, I can't see it being as appealing.

Although if this is like 10 mins to Custom House, and then it's like 3 to Canary Wharf, 8 to Liverpool St - or whatever, that's pretty great and better than bus-sing down to Abbey Wood. Hopefully it stays zone 3 as an incentive, but I suspect not.

Will add frequency to Custom House (and complexity to the DLR - hope those new trains settle down)- and I wonder if eventually they could get away with closing Beckton with a new station north of Gallions Reach, and consolidate.

And a new river crossing is always welcome.

That all said, I'd much rather it was the Bakerloo.

 

[The Pelican]

DLR extensions have always been very good value for money, which is why so many stations got added to it between opening and 2012. This one adds two stations and a long tunnel for £1.2 billion, less than the cost of a single Elizabeth line station, so continuing it's decent value extensions. Hopefully it will also make any future extension in Thamesmead better value as well- in addition, I hope we hear more about a potential Gallions Reach to Barking Station extension.

 

[aron2smith]

Far too many river crossings, far too long, far too expensive. I believe TfL would ideally see it extended to Belvedere if money allowed but no further

I agree but we definitely need more Thames crossings, especially with public transport. The only crossing is at Dartford and the only public transport is the X80 bus and the odd Thames Clipper to/ from Tilbury/ Gravesend for special events. A woeful lack of connectivity in this region. I don't only understand why the DLR to Thamesmead can't serve Creekmouth, a short walk from Barking Riverside along the way as a start.

 

[bananas]

Most will still go Abbey Wood or Woolwich except those in immediate vicinity of DLR. Worth spending £1bn just for that?

It will create new short river-crossing journeys that would've previously been much slower.

This one adds two stations and a long tunnel for £1.2 billion, less than the cost of a single Elizabeth line station

Are you comparing the initial "planned" cost of this project to the actual massively-over-budget costs of the Elizabeth line?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Nov 2025 ==

It will create new short river-crossing journeys that would've previously been much slower.

Actually the Beckton branch is much further west than I'd remembered. It does seem like you'd get much more value out of a new cross-river tunnel if it were further east.

 

[The Pelican]

It will create new short river-crossing journeys that would've previously been much slower.


Are you comparing the initial "planned" cost of this project to the actual massively-over-budget costs of the Elizabeth line?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Nov 2025 ==


Actually the Beckton branch is much further west than I'd remembered. It does seem like you'd get much more value out of a new cross-river tunnel if it were further east.

You're quite right, it looks like most of the new stations were around 600 million- so this is actually reasonably expensive, since none of the stations are in tunnel. Nonetheless, there's been a decade of construction inflation etc. so this scheme is still good value!

 

[Mattplans]

Not sure this is the right decision. It feels like journey times to London will still be quicker by bussing to Abbey Wood and using Elizabeth Line from there. A rail link in Thamesmead needs to unite it with the local area, not send it over the river. This will honestly do more for the existing stations on the Beckton Branch than what it is intended to do for Thamesmead. I would've liked to see an extension of the Overground from Barking Riverside to Abbey Wood via 2-3 thamesmead stops, therefore connecting directly to the Elizabeth Line (where most would probably prefer to connect to) and with the myriad of lines at Barking if one wishes to go in that direction.

Of course, it's better than nothing.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Nov 2025 ==

I find it interesting that DLR is more likely be backed then West London Orbital which is a lot less expensive. The BLE is so expensive that I think it's going to need more than Government backing.

Doesn't surprise me whatsoever - the WLO is pretty much already in areas with rail links or stations. There is no station for Thamesmead. I am however surprised that it's "a lot less expensive" but I guess that's the joy of a river crossing

 

[Thirteen]

If they ever did close Beckton Station, it wouldn't be far to fill it in and put housing on the land as it's just a platform?

 

[Mattplans]

I wonder if there will be a spur from the depot at Beckton connecting directly to Beckton Riverside

 

[Thirteen]

Doesn't surprise me whatsoever - the WLO is pretty much already in areas with rail links or stations. There is no station for Thamesmead. I am however surprised that it's "a lot less expensive" but I guess that's the joy of a river crossing

I meant WLO which I assume is less expensive because the line already exists, it's just the stations and other bits that is the cost there.

BLE I think will happen within the next decade but I suspect the Bakerloo Line will get new trains first.

 

[Mattplans]

I meant WLO which I assume is less expensive because the line already exists, it's just the stations and other bits that is the cost there.

BLE I think will happen within the next decade but I suspect the Bakerloo Line will get new trains first.

Yes, but 4 new stations are proposed as part of the WLO. Considering it's only one thamesmead station being proposed (ridiculous), I am surprised that it's more expensive. I imagine it's the river crossing driving up the costs then.

 

[cle]

Yes, but 4 new stations are proposed as part of the WLO. Considering it's only one thamesmead station being proposed (ridiculous), I am surprised that it's more expensive. I imagine it's the river crossing driving up the costs then.

Stations are usually the cost... less so on the DLR side. I would think WLO won't be crazy, because out of station interchanges are planned for the likes of Harlesden and Neasden, nothing fancy. But still, everywhere new needs lifts, will be side platforms etc

The OOC NLL station, which WLO is the Trojan Horse for, would be a four platform, probably incredibly busy and 6-car contraption - built on bridges and junctions... and with high-capacity transfer to the OOC main station, I'd expect that to be a massive part of the cost.

Brent Cross and West Hampstead, and the Hounslow stuff, isn't too crazy.
The final ??? is what they might end up doing at Bollo Road.

 

[NCT]

Not for most of Thamesmead. 3-5 mins on a bus to Abbey Wood or 3-5 mins on a bus to north Thamesmead where DLR planned. One has more frequent trips and is faster (Abbey Wood) compared to DLR.

If in west Thamesmead or parts of the north it's 5 mins to Woolwich stations.

Given DLR doesn't go many places useful directly a change will still be needed. Most will still go Abbey Wood or Woolwich except those in immediate vicinity of DLR. Worth spending £1bn just for that?

How long would DLR to Custom House take from Thamesmead on DLR? 15 mins? It's six from Abbey Wood. Considering the expanse of Thamesmead most would still need a bus to reach north Thamesmead. Makes little sense to go there for 8tph when Liz is 12 tph and by the time any DLR is built that would have increased further with new trains on order.

Another factor is taking DLR then changing at Custom House or onto Jubilee at Canning Town takes time and trains can arrived rammed. Bussing to Abbey Wood for the first stop means a chance of a seat and guaranteed to get on.

I'm sure some will prefer the slower DLR but given all the projects in London it hardly seems priority number 1.

Admittedly when I said Thamesmead I was mentally referring to Thamesmead Shopping Centre / bus station. This area itself is identified as an opportunity area so should supply ample foot passengers to the DLR. From North Thamesmead (east of Carlyle Road), Thamesmead Station by bus would be marginally closer than Abbey Wood. On the DLR you've got Custom House and Canning Town for fast options into Central London and Stratford as a destination. I reckon Thamesmead - Custom House on the DLR will be 13 minutes, compared to EL's 7. It is nearly twice as long but not a catastrophic difference. Besides not everyone wants EL destinations. DLR trains leave Woolwich full despite there being both EL and Southeastern/TL.

 

[Mgameing123]

I find it interesting that DLR is more likely be backed then West London Orbital which is a lot less expensive. The BLE is so expensive that I think it's going to need more than Government backing.

I guess because DLR has more value for investment?

 

[PGAT]

I guess because DLR has more value for investment?

It also goes hand in hand with the agenda of house building by the government. Thamesmead has been shortlisted for a new town

 

[Mgameing123]

It also goes hand in hand with the agenda of house building by the government. Thamesmead has been shortlisted for a new town

Yeah that explains everything. But will the DLR be able to cope if it doesn't go to Abbey Wood?

 

[Technologist]

You're quite right, it looks like most of the new stations were around 600 million- so this is actually reasonably expensive, since none of the stations are in tunnel. Nonetheless, there's been a decade of construction inflation etc. so this scheme is still good value!

I suspect a Spaniard or Parisian would disagree with you there:

Grand Paris Express:

4 new lines, 2 extended
68 stations
200km length
135km underground
35 billion Euros

Paris is even more densely populated than London and just as rich, we just over spec things, don't do rolling programmes and get bad value for money.

A "should cost" for this vs the Grand Paris Express would be about £300-500 million.

 

[cle]

People also don’t like buses as much. One change at Custom House - heading the right direction - will be better for some.

But this service will also be a one seat ride to Docklands and maybe Bank. It will also bring Canning Town - ie good Stratford and also Jubilee to town. It’s good for EL relief vs funnelling everyone into Abbey Wood. That service needs addl TPH soon enough.

 

[Mikey C]

People also don’t like buses as much. One change at Custom House - heading the right direction - will be better for some.

But this service will also be a one seat ride to Docklands and maybe Bank. It will also bring Canning Town - ie good Stratford and also Jubilee to town. It’s good for EL relief vs funnelling everyone into Abbey Wood. That service needs addl TPH soon enough.

On the other hand there will be other parts of the wider Thamesmead area nearer to Abbey Wood, or who have direct buses to Abbey Wood, instead of having to walk to a single Thamesmead DLR station. Plus Abbey Wood has the benefit of getting on at the start of the Liz Line, so you can get a seat.

 

[Mattplans]

Plus Abbey Wood has the benefit of getting on at the start of the Liz Line, so you can get a seat.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Nov 2025 ==

I've had to divert to Abbey Wood a couple times in the morning when my local line has issues. You are heavily mistaken

 

[Mikey C]

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Nov 2025 ==

I've had to divert to Abbey Wood a couple times in the morning when my local line has issues. You are heavily mistaken

A better chance then of getting a seat than Woolwich or Custom House. Or indeed getting on, if it's that busy.

 

[Andrew S]

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Nov 2025 ==

I've had to divert to Abbey Wood a couple times in the morning when my local line has issues. You are heavily mistaken

I live in South Thamesmead and use Abbey Wood station daily. I've never not got a seat. The trick is to not get on the first train to leave if it is filling up with people from a Thameslink or SE train, get on the second at the other platform.

 

[Cloud Strife]

It feels like journey times to London will still be quicker by bussing to Abbey Wood and using Elizabeth Line from there. A rail link in Thamesmead needs to unite it with the local area, not send it over the river.

There are some other benefits though, such as providing a new cross-river link that will help with resiliency in case the Elizabeth Line goes down. It's also likely that they'll build Thamesmead with provision for a further extension, although IMO, they could really do with extending it to Abbey Wood straight away and building a new travelator from Royal Albert / Beckton Park into London City Airport.

In terms of a logical extension, I think the wisest thing to do would be to extend this branch to Abbey Wood, then build a new extension north of the river that would open up the entire north side of the river for development. Building through to Dagenham (not only Dagenham Dock) is a no brainer as well, as it would help considerably with the regeneration of Dagenham.

 

[Mgameing123]

I live in South Thamesmead and use Abbey Wood station daily. I've never not got a seat. The trick is to not get on the first train to leave if it is filling up with people from a Thameslink or SE train, get on the second at the other platform.

Ahh the classic. I used to do that on my commute to school. The bus up to my school was so busy they had to run multiple buses within a short interval. I always took the last bus at first until everyone else used my trick.

 

[hkstudent]

In order to unlock high density housing development of Thamesmead central, you need a rail station directly inside in the area to fulfill the transport needs, in which DLR would be the most affordable option.

Also, when thinking about the bus journey time to Abbey Wood then EL to custom house, the DLR probably had not passed canning town by then. Moreover, by 2040s, with the housing development, the EL would probably be full and would need DLR into helping, at least for connections to Stratford, Bank and Canary Wharf north, those job areas.

 

[BritishGuy54]

So, ideally, I think we would see the Thamesmead extension, and then it swerving back north of the river should the Dagenham Dock extension ever get revived.

 

[cle]

I can’t see this justifying two river crossings!

I would say that with Beam Park approved and the LO extension, an additional station and more frequency on the Fenchurch St services to Grays would be best, vs DLR feeding Crossrail even more.

 

[BritishGuy54]

It's a pity that the DLR's Dagenham Dock via Barking Riverside extension didn't go ahead, which would have got it a long way towards the M25. The consultation on the Thamesmead extension dicussed a potential Barking town centre extension from Beckton, which might mosly be in a tunnel. Establishing a third four platform "hub" of the DLR network around Beckton and Gallions Reach might allow more trains not to have to run as far as Central London- I believe a turnback was proposed either West of Custom House or West of Canning Town. (I count Poplar and Canning Town as the major hubs of the network).

Looking at the possible Barking spur, I’d be a bit curious if the extension was just to Barking and nothing more.

I could see the stations go:

• East Beckton
• Roding Riverside
• Barking

I can see the new stations + Beckton Riverside get placed into Zone 3 / 4.

 

[Mr. SW]

IanVisits page.
https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/first-images-unveiled-of-future-thamesmead-dlr-station-90270/

The first images of the proposed new DLR stations for the Thamesmead extension have been released as part of the final consultation on the plans.

 

[Snow1964]

TfL have opened the consultation on the extension to Becton Riverside and Thamesmead

Extending the DLR to Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead

Find out about TfL’s consultation on proposals to extend DLR services to Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead

haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk