FAQs

We are still developing the design and detail of the scheme and would need to obtain consent through a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) to build and operate the extension.

Subject to a funding agreement with Government and the necessary TWAO approval, construction could begin by 2029 with the extension and new stations at Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead potentially opening in the early 2030s.  

We think it could cost around £1.5bn (outturn costs). We are still confirming our proposals however and so the actual cost could vary subject to further design work, surveys and investigations and confirming how the extension could be built.

To determine expected scheme costs, we use benchmarking for comparable schemes, as well as undertaking a cost estimating exercise. The estimating takes into account both direct costs (i.e. the costs for constructing the new infrastructure and purchasing the required trains), as well as indirect costs (such as the scheme development, consents, surveys and design) together with allowances for risk, inflation and other matters.

As part of the Autumn Budget in November 2025, the Government announced their commitment to the scheme, including financial support to help us deliver it. This includes a mechanism that enables the Mayor to raise funds through borrowing to pay for the scheme’s construction. This borrowing will be repaid over time using direct funding from Government and new funding unlocked by the scheme, such as the fares revenue from ridership on the extended portion of the DLR route. This funding model builds on the approach successfully implemented on previous projects such as Crossrail and the Northern line extension.

We are working closely with officials from across government departments to finalise details and confirm formal arrangements for the funding package(s).

As part of this public consultation, we have set out what disruption there could be to local roads and businesses during construction and would encourage you to respond to the consultation with any concerns you might have or anything we may not have thought about.

We are not planning on needing to demolish any homes to build the extension. However, we know that the construction may need to take place close to homes and therefore there may be noise and disruption. We have set out where these worksites would be and how we could manage impacts through a future Code of Construction Practice, but we would encourage you to respond to the consultation with any concerns you might have or anything we may not have thought about.

We are assessing the potential traffic and transport impacts of the scheme during both construction and operation. The effects on traffic movements, as well as pedestrians, cyclists, bus users and rail users, will be considered in detail. The findings, together with any proposed mitigation measures, will be reported in the Environmental Statement and Transport Assessment, which will be submitted as part of the Transport and Works Act Order application.

For construction, we are exploring potential opportunities to use sustainable modes and minimise use of heavy good vehicles, as well as considering the most appropriate haul routes to the proposed worksites.  

This consultation is open for six weeks and the closing date for comments is Thursday 16 July 2026.  

The feedback to this consultation will help us as we finalise our proposals before we submit an application under the Transport and Works Act in early 2027 to seek permission to build and operate the proposed extension.

We will use all feedback from this consultation to help us refine our proposals, and should something fundamentally change we may need to consult again.

Once we submit out Transport and Works Act Order there is a 42-day period (Public Representation period) when anyone can send in their support, objections or comments on our application to the Secretary of State for Transport.

If consent is granted we would also continue to engage with local communities and stakeholders throughout construction of the extension. This could range from establishing community liaison groups, providing newsletter updates, and holding feedback sessions.

This is the third public consultation on proposals to extend the DLR from Gallions Reach to Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead. This follows the first one in 2024 asking for feedback on the potential for the extension to these areas, and the second in 2025 on proposed station locations and route alignment.

Our proposals have become more detailed and therefore this consultation is asking specifically for feedback about how we could build the railway and the impacts of construction on you and your local area. We are not asking specific questions about the principle of the scheme or where the new stations could be built.

The feedback to this consultation will help us as we finalise our proposals before we submit an application under the Transport and Works Act in early 2027 to seek permission to build and operate the proposed extension.

The proposed DLR extension would allow the transformation of Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead, potentially supporting the delivery of up to 30,000 new homes. The vision for the growth of these areas is set out in the Royal Docks & Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead & Abbey Wood Opportunity Area Planning Framework’s (OAPFs). These documents were developed in partnership between the Greater London Authority, the London Borough of Newham and the Royal Borough of Greenwich. They represent the first stage in planning for significant numbers of new homes and jobs, improved infrastructure, and access to local services.

As the Local Planning Authorities for Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead, Newham and Greenwich Councils are working on their local plans to include more detail from the visions in the Opportunity Area Planning Frameworks. We, along with other stakeholders, are coordinating this with them as part of the masterplan for these areas. As any plans for new housing and other development will require planning permission, future planning applications will need to be developed in response to these documents. Future proposals for these sites will be developed by landowners including the Thamesmead Waterfront Joint Venture, Aberdeen Investments and Berkely.

We are focussed on our proposals to build the extension to Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead, where it could support delivery of up to 30,000 new homes and provide a real step-change in sustainable transport options. Any further extension, for example into Bexley, would need more detailed development on the best route and destination, and be subject to a new funding agreement.

Alongside the proposed extension, we are continuing to develop plans for changes to roads between Woolwich and Abbey Wood via Thamesmead, aimed at making bus journeys faster and to improve the area for people walking and cycling. We recently published the consultation results for both these proposals and proposals at Barnham Drive.

The DLR extension and these supporting improvements are being planned together to provide better overall connections from Thamesmead. This coordinated approach would help maximise the benefits of investment, support sustainable travel choices, and enable the delivery of new homes, jobs and wider regeneration in the area.

We expect a phased reintroduction of the new trains by late summer. This follows significant progress by engineering teams in carrying out detailed investigations, testing, and assurance to ensure the fleet is ready to enter to service safely and reliably.

Subject to the outcomes of a consultation, the Government is proposing the Thamesmead Waterfront site as one of seven locations in it’s New Towns Draft Programme.

We are assessing the potential effects of the proposed extension on the natural environment as part of our ongoing design and development work. This includes considering impacts during both construction and operation, such as on local habitats, water, air quality, noise and biodiversity.

The findings of these assessments, together with any proposed mitigation measures, will be reported in the Environmental Statement, which will be submitted as part of the Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application. This will set out how we would avoid, reduce or manage environmental impacts.

During construction, we are exploring ways to minimise impacts, including reducing the use of heavy goods vehicles where possible, using more sustainable transport methods, and carefully managing worksites through a Code of Construction Practice.

In the longer term, the extension aims to support more sustainable travel by improving public transport connections and reducing reliance on car use. It would also support wider regeneration, which provides opportunities to enhance green infrastructure and deliver environmental improvements alongside new homes and development.