Route
This page explains in more detail our proposed route for the new extension of the DLR to Thamesmead via Beckton Riverside, including how we think the new extension would link into the rest of the DLR network, and the route under the river to Thamesmead.
Joining up with the existing DLR network
We would need to link the new extension into the existing DLR network, and to Beckton DLR depot, where the majority of DLR trains start service.
We would proposed to do this by providing an elevated track from Gallions Reach over the existing Beckton branch line and then continuing towards Beckton Riverside. We call this a ‘grade separated’ junction. This junction means that trains operating on the extension would not come into conflict with trains operating on the existing Beckton branch, or which are leaving and entering the depot, and so avoids potential delays. This layout would also provide a direct link between Beckton depot and the proposed extension to Thamesmead, ensuring trains serving the extension could start service without impacting services on the existing Beckton branch. This layout would also allow for a potential future extension of the DLR towards Barking, subject to funding and justification of benefits.
We explored an alternative ‘at grade’ junction layout, which would require trains operating to/from Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead to cross over the existing Beckton branch to access the extension. However, this would require trains stopping and waiting for a route to become available across the junction with the existing Beckton. This would impact the number of trains we could run on the network and could extend journey times and cause delays across the DLR network.
Route through Beckton Riverside
The proposed route alignment through the Beckton Riverside area is constrained. To the west (towards Beckton) there is Royal Docks Road (A1020) and Armada Way, the existing Beckton DLR branch and utilities infrastructure. This includes Beckton CHiP (Combined Heat and Intelligent Power) plant, a bioliquid fuelled power station, and a Cadent Gas Pressure Reduction Station. To the east (towards the River Thames) there is Armada Way, a flood attenuation pond, and river wall infrastructure. There is also a significant amount of below ground utilities and other buried obstructions which have influenced the development of options for this section of the route.
The proposed route alignment would initially remain elevated on a viaduct to pass through the Beckton Riverside area immediately to the south of Armada Way, passing over the edge of the Cadent Gas Pressure Reduction Station site and Hornet Way, to maintain vehicle access to the Beckton CHiP plant, Cadent Gas Pressure Reduction Station and Beckton Depot. The viaduct section of the railway would run for around 500 metres through Beckton Riverside, before descending to a proposed ground level station at Beckton Riverside. This would serve two major development sites in the area. To the north of the proposed station and Armada Way lies the existing Gallions Reach Shopping Park owned by Aberdeen Investments, with the remaining undeveloped part of the former Beckton Gas works, owned by St William to the south of the DLR alignment and proposed station at Beckton Riverside. Information about our preferred option for this station, and the alternatives we have assessed, can be found here.
We have explored different options for how the proposed route alignment could travel across Beckton Riverside, for example moving it further to north or south of Armada Way to run through Gallions Reach Shopping Park or closer to the northern boundary of the Beckton DLR depot. We have also explored whether the proposed route alignment could run at ground level from the proposed new junction to Beckton Riverside station as an alternative to the proposed viaduct. Information about these alternatives can be found here.
Crossing the River Thames
After leaving Beckton Riverside station the track would descend into a tunnel approximately 1.5km long to cross under the river and continue towards Thamesmead. This would likely be constructed using a tunnel boring machine (TBM) as has been the case with previous schemes we have delivered such as the Elizabeth line and Silvertown tunnel.
The proposed route for the tunnel has been influenced by the need to avoid a significant number of pre-existing underground infrastructure, particularly relating to the former use of Beckton Riverside as Beckton Gas Works. On the south side of the river, the alignment of the tunnel through the Thamesmead Waterfront aims to avoid areas of ground identified as historic and active landfill, as well as Metropolitan Open Land.
We considered using a technique which would involve laying tunnel infrastructure in a ditch in the river bed (similar to a cut and cover tunnel) however this type of river crossing has not been used in London before, would be more expensive and would likely have a greater impact on the marine environment. We also considered constructing a bridge, however the scale of structure required to maintain the operation of river traffic would involve using much larger areas of land, with negative impacts on the construction of new homes on both sides of the river.
We also considered alternative routes for the tunnel to cross the River Thames, with more information here.
Route into and through Thamesmead
There are also several constraints which influence the proposed route alignment through the Thamesmead Waterfront site including active and historic landfill sites, areas of Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) and Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs). The potential impacts on the SINC have been considered in assessing all potential station options, and this proposal will be subject to further Environmental Impact Assessment in the next stage of design, with appropriate mitigations identified.
Our preferred option for the new route in Thamesmead is for the line to emerge from the tunnel onto a viaduct to pass over the Twin Tumps and Thamesmere SINC and terminate at an elevated station in Thamesmead, serving the town centre at the current site of Cannon Retail Park on Central Way. This proposed route alignment would also support any potential further extension in the future, for example towards Bexley, subject to funding and justification of benefits. Due to engineering constraints, it would not be feasible to extend the tunnel to pass under the Twin Tumps and serve an elevated station in Thamesmead town centre.
The Thamesmead Waterfront development area is owned by Peabody an affordable housing provider, who have partnered with Lendlease to develop the site, and we have worked extensively with both parties to identify the best alignment for the proposed extension through the development area and proposed station location, in response to the site constraints. This followed an assessment of alternative alignments across the Thamesmead Waterfront site.
Information about our preferred option for this station, and the alternatives we have assessed, can be found here.
