The route and new stations

The purpose of this page is to explain the extension route and features of the new stations, including information about how you would enter the stations.

The route

(Click on map for a larger version)

The new extension would branch off from the current line north of Gallions Reach DLR station and would also link into Beckton DLR depot. This would be via an elevated track from Gallions Reach over the existing Beckton branch line before continuing to a new station at Beckton Riverside. We call this a ‘grade separated’ junction. This junction design avoids potential delays because 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 Beckton DLR depot. This layout would also allow for a potential future extension of the DLR towards Barking, subject to funding and justification of benefits.

The route through the Beckton Riverside area is constrained by the road network, the existing Beckton DLR branch and utilities infrastructure to the west. To the east (towards the River Thames), it is constrained by Armada Way, a flood attenuation pond and river wall infrastructure.

The route would initially remain elevated on a viaduct to pass through the Beckton Riverside area immediately to the south of Armada Way. 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.

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. The tunnel route has been influenced by the need to avoid significant existing underground infrastructure, particularly relating to the former use of Beckton Riverside as Beckton Gas Works, flood defences and the river wall. 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.

The route would emerge from the tunnel in Thamesmead onto a viaduct to pass over the Twin Tumps and Thamesmere Site of Importance for Nature Conservation 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.

Beckton Riverside station

We’re proposing a new DLR station at Beckton Riverside, on a currently vacant site south of Armada Way opposite Gallions Reach Shopping Park. The new station would eventually form part of a redeveloped town centre, with residential developments, employment, retail, and community facilities.

(Click on map for a larger version)

The station would be:

• Ground‑level
  
  
• Fully accessible with step‑free access between street and train
  
  
• Equipped with lifts and stairs to a covered footbridge between platforms
  
  
• Fitted with facilities including:
  
  
  1. Lighting
  2. CCTV
  3. Help points
  4. Customer information systems
  5. Secure cycle parking
  6. A platform canopy for weather protection

When the station opens, access would primarily be from Armada Way to the north, with potential for a new on‑street bus interchange for routes 262, 366 and N551, along with improved walking and cycling facilities to make it easier and safer to reach the station. In the longer term as new development comes forward, the station footbridge would also act as a public walking and cycling link between new neighbourhoods on either side of the railway.

Please see below illustration of the proposed Beckton Riverside DLR station, for indicative purposes.

(Click on map for a larger version)

A new on‑street interchange would also be created on Armada Way for bus routes 262, 366 and N551, along with improved walking and cycling facilities to make it easier and safer to reach the station.

Thamesmead station

A new elevated DLR station is proposed at Thamesmead, on the site of Cannon Retail Park. The site is currently accessed via Twin Tumps Way from Central Way and is currently the site of several retail units and associated car parking. This sits within the wider Thamesmead Waterfront development area, where thousands of new homes and jobs, alongside an extended and revitalised town centre, are planned.

(Click on map for a larger version)

The station would be:

• Elevated on a viaduct, with the railway continuing for a short distance beyond the platforms to meet railway safety requirements
  
  
• Fully accessible with lifts and stairs at both ends of the platform
  
  
• Fitted with facilities including:
  
  
  1. Lighting
  2. CCTV
  3. Help points
  4. Customer information systems
  5. Secure cycle parking
  6. A platform canopy for shelter
     
     
• Designed to support a possible future extension of the railway (for example towards the London Borough of Bexley), subject to funding and demand
  
  

Retail units and car parking within Cannon Retail Park would need to make way for the new station, but access to retail areas east of Twin Tumps Way would remain. The Central Way roundabout may need to be redesigned due to space constraints around the viaduct, and we are working with the Royal Borough of Greenwich, landowners and retailers to understand the safest and most effective layout.

When the station opens, the main entrance would sit next to Central Way, creating a new interchange with local bus services. Walking and cycling improvements would be added where needed to provide safe routes to the station, complementing wider proposals to improve bus reliability and enhance walking and cycling connections in this area.

Please see below illustration of the proposed Thamesmead DLR station, for indicative purposes.

(Click on map for a larger version)

As regeneration progresses, Thamesmead Waterfront is expected to change significantly. In March 2026, Thamesmead was identified by HM Government as a potential New Town, supporting the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s long‑term vision for the area. The station is being designed with this future in mind, including a western entrance to link to future walking and cycling routes and to the existing town centre.

Future changes to the surrounding environment would be led by developers through the planning process, working closely with the Royal Borough of Greenwich and TfL.

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