Stations
The purpose of this page is to give more information about preferred option for station locations and station design at Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead.
We looked at a number of options for each new station, and have provided more information about our option selection process here.
Beckton Riverside
We are proposing a new station at Beckton Riverside on a currently vacant site to the south of Armada Way, opposite Gallions Reach Shopping Park. The new station would form part of a redeveloped town centre and wider neighbourhood, with residential developments, employment, retail, and community facilities.
Potential new development and DLR station in Beckton Riverside
We are proposing this site as it would put the station at the heart of the planned new town centre, supporting placemaking at Beckton Riverside, as well as maximising access to DLR services for future residents.
Beckton Riverside area with proposed new DLR station
The station would be at ground-level and would be fully accessible, with step-free access provided between street and train. Station lighting, CCTV, help points, customer information systems and secure cycle parking would also be provided. The station design would include a canopy extending along the platform to provide shelter.
There would be a covered footbridge between the platforms accessed by stairs and lifts. One of the station entrances would connect to Armada Way, creating an opportunity for a new interchange between DLR and local transport options, including bus routes 262, 366 and N551, and new walking and cycling links.
The proposed footbridge would also act as a publicly accessible connection across the railway to the new neighbourhoods either side of the station. To the west of the proposed development area, the railway would run on a viaduct allowing pedestrian, cycle, and vehicle movements underneath. It would then drop down towards a ground level station on a ramp, meaning that movement underneath the rail line would be restricted for approximately 300 metres as the line approaches to the station.
Artists impression of new DLR station in Beckton Riverside
We have assessed alternative locations across the development area for the proposed station, however these would not support the planned new town centre. We have also explored alternative elevated and sub-surface station options. These would be more expensive to deliver than the proposed ground-level station, and an elevated option would extend the length of railway viaduct through Beckton Riverside and would also make a cross-river connection to Thamesmead more challenging to build. More information about these discounted options are in our options analysis technical report.
We will continue to work closely with the London Borough of Newham, landowners, and developers to understand their proposals for the redevelopment of the areas surrounding the station, with further detail to be shared in future consultations.
Thamesmead station
We are proposing a new station at Thamesmead on the site currently occupied by Cannon Retail Park. This is currently accessed via Joyce Dawson Way from Central Way and is the site of several retail units and associated car parking.
Potential new development and DLR station in Thamesmead
Cannon Retail Park and the proposed station are located at Thamesmead Waterfront, a 100-hectare site owned by Peabody which offers the potential to deliver thousands of new homes and jobs, alongside a new and expanded town centre.
Click on image for larger version
The station at Thamesmead would be elevated on a viaduct, with stairs and lifts provided at each end of the platform. The station would be fully accessible, with step-free access provided between street and train. Station lighting, CCTV, help points, customer information systems and secure cycle parking would also be provided. The station design would include a canopy extending along the platform to provide shelter.
There would be a station entrance adjacent to Central Way, an important bus corridor in Thamesmead, creating an opportunity for a new interchange between DLR and local bus services, including the possible new SL11 Superloop service - subject to the outcome of public consultation. The station would also be designed so that it could support any further extension (for example towards Bexley) in the future, subject to funding and justification of benefits.
Artists impression of new DLR station in Thamesmead
This site is our preferred option for a new station in Thamesmead as it would best serve existing residents of Thamesmead, as well as the planned development of Thamesmead Waterfront. A station in this location would also support the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s ambitions for a revitalised town centre in Thamesmead.
In order to provide a station in this location, the track would need to pass over the Twin Tumps and Thamesmere Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) on a viaduct. 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.
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.
We have explored a range of alternative options for the proposed station. Ground-level and partially enclosed (or sub-surface) options would sever pedestrian connections in the heart of the new town centre that is planned for Thamesmead, whilst an underground station would be significantly more expensive to construct and operate than an elevated option. An underground station would also still need some above-ground structures, such as fire and ventilation shafts. The alternative options would make any future onward extension of the DLR beyond Thamesmead more challenging to build. We therefore believe an elevated station represents the most appropriate station option in Thamesmead. More information about these discounted options are in our options analysis technical report.
We will continue to work closely with the Royal Borough of Greenwich, landowners, and developers to understand their proposals for the redevelopment of the areas surrounding the station.
