Turnback

The purpose of this page is to give more information about the two options we are still considering for a turnback, needed to operate the proposed DLR extension to Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead.

Future frequency

Today, DLR services between Tower Gateway and Beckton run throughout the day. Additional services operate between Stratford International and Beckton at off-peak times and between Canning Town and Beckton at peak times. Once the extension opens, we expect to run trains:

• Every 8-10 minutes to/from Thamesmead (and Beckton Riverside)
• Every 8-10 minutes to/from Beckton

Together, these services would provide a train every 4-5 minutes between Canning Town and Gallions Reach.

Gallions Reach station

The regeneration of Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead are long-term projects, with the new housing likely to be built in phases. To deliver later phases, we believe that further services would be required to/from Thamesmead. To make this possible, we would need a place for trains to terminate, reverse and then re-enter service, as well as existing trains. A turnback should be set up so that trains waiting for their next journey do not impact other services, as this would reduce capacity on the lines and cause delays for customers.

We have reviewed a range of options across the network and are still considering two options ahead of reaching a preferred option: a new platform at Royal Victoria or a new turnback siding to the west of Canning Town station. Information on discounted options can be found here.

Royal Victoria Turnback Option

We would build a new platform at Royal Victoria, diverting the eastbound track towards Beckton from its current alignment to serve a new platform on the opposite side of the current eastbound platform.

Royal Victoria possible turnback site

The current platform would become the new platform for terminating westbound services, with trains remaining in the platform until they are timetabled to depart eastbound. Current station entrances from Victoria Dock Road and Seagull Road would remain open, however the proposed layout would require the current ground level access from Victoria Dock Road to the eastbound DLR platform to be replaced with stairs and lift access to all platforms. The station would however remain fully accessible, with step-free access provided between street and train.

As terminating services would not serve stations west of Royal Victoria, customers travelling towards Canning Town, Stratford International, and central London via DLR or Jubilee line services would need to change trains at Royal Victoria or Custom House.

These proposed changes could be constructed within the existing railway boundary, on land previously part of the North London Line.

Royal Victoria turnback view of Canary Wharf

Canning Town Turnback Option

We would build a new turnback siding west of Canning Town station along a section of existing railway located between the station and Bow Creek Ecology Park, which borders Bow Creek, part of the River Lea. We would expand the railway corridor, realigning parts of existing DLR track and creating a new siding in-between the eastbound and westbound lines.

Canning Town possible turnback with Reubens Bridge

Trains from Beckton would terminate in Platform 4 at Canning Town station before moving into this siding (out of passenger service), wait for their timetabled departure, and re-enter passenger service at Canning Town Platform 3. We are currently planning that services from the proposed new station at Thamesmead would not use this turnback. This option would enable all future planned services to serve Custom House and Canning Town. This would allow passengers to interchange with Elizabeth line, Jubilee line and other DLR services, which would provide onward connections to a range of destinations in east and central London.

To build this new turnback siding, we would have to demolish Reubens Bridge. Reubens Bridge is a pedestrian bridge that links Wharfside Road to the path alongside the River Lea across the DLR tracks. It was closed shortly after its initial opening and there are no plans to re-open it. A full structural survey identified that it is non-compliant with current Health & Safety Legislation, Building Regulations, British Standards and associated supplementary guidance.

The turnback would be situated in an environmentally sensitive area as it adjoins Bow Creek Ecology Park and the River Lea. Further design work and assessment would need to be undertaken to understand any environmental impacts and incorporate mitigations into the design.

DLR train passing Reubens Bridge

We have not yet reached a preferred option for the turnback location and are still evaluating the full impacts of both locations, however any initial feedback for either of these locations will help us as we continue to assess these options as part of our design work.

The turnback would give us the ability to run more trains on the eastern part of the DLR network. While our current thinking is that it would not be used by Thamesmead trains directly, it would be an important part of the DLR network. We will continue to review our service plans to ensure we deliver the best level of service for our customers.

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