Docklands Light Railway

Docklands Light Railway (DLR) opened in 1987 with 15 stations and was used by 6.7m passengers in its first 12 months; today it comprises 38 stations and transports well over 60m people per year.

In the past two decades DLR has extended to Bank (1991), Beckton (1994) Lewisham (1999) and London City Airport (2005). Further extensions to Woolwich Arsenal (set to open in 2009) and Stratford International (set to open in 2010) are being constructed.

The DLR was the first fully accessible railway in the UK, making access much easier for wheelchair users and people with young children or shopping.

What has been achieved to date?

DLR is the most reliable railway in mainland UK, consistently recording over 98% of services running on time.
Over Ł1bn has been spent upgrading and extending DLR since it began operating. The original railway cost Ł77m.
DLR has built up a reputation for delivering on time and on budget; both the Lewisham and London City Airport extensions were built ahead of schedule and to cost.
DLR has played, and continues to play, a key role in the regeneration of east London, Docklands and the Thames Gateway.

Future proposals

In addition to the Woolwich Arsenal and Stratford International extensions, a further route to Dagenham Dock is planned for 2016/17. Government permission for this will be sought in Spring 2008.
DLR trains on the Bank to Lewisham line will increase in size by 50% in 2009, as an extra carriage will be added to the current two-carriage service. Three-carriage trains will run across the rest of the network from 2010.
A refurbished DLR Shadwell station will open in early 2008.

Related websites

Links to related websites.