Transport for LondonDocklands Light Railway - Woolwich Arsenal
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26/02/2004
Government Approves DLR Woolwich Extension
Tony McNulty, Minister for Transport today announced Department for Transport approval of the submission under the Transport and Works Act for the extension of the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to Woolwich Arsenal.
The extension has always had the support of Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, and is one of the first schemes DLR was asked to progress in the Mayor's Transport Strategy.
Mr Livingstone, said: "It is excellent news that plans can now be taken forward to secure delivery of this scheme. A DLR extension to Woolwich Arsenal would link Woolwich with the employment hub of the Docklands and would be a huge step forward in the continuing regeneration of south London and the Thames Gateway."
This £145 million 2.5km project will be a continuation of DLR's extension to London City Airport - currently under construction - from its eastern terminus at King George V at North Woolwich. It will involve the construction of bored tunnels under the Thames and a new DLR station at Woolwich Arsenal which will provide an interchange with main line rail services and other public transport routes.
The extension to King George V via London City Airport is due to be completed by the end of 2005 and the new extension will offer direct services between Woolwich and London City Airport - in just four minutes, and to Canary Wharf and the City.
It is expected that the extension of the DLR to Woolwich will have a major effect on the regeneration of Woolwich town centre and the Royal Arsenal site through improved accessibility and connections to Docklands.
Cllr Chris Roberts, Leader of Greenwich Council, said: "We've long campaigned for a DLR station at Woolwich because it forms a key part of the Council's drive to create a transport centre and fulfil Woolwich's promise to be a major town centre in the Thames Gateway region. Extending the DLR to Woolwich will provide better links to job and travel opportunities in the City, Docklands, east London and to London City Airport. The improved transport services are part of a wider regeneration plan that includes such key developments as the Royal Arsenal and White Hart Triangle sites, attracting more businesses to the area and bringing greater prosperity to local people."
DLR Ltd (part of Transport for London) has also started the process of selecting a concessionaire to design, build and maintain the extension. The current programme assumes that construction will begin in mid-2005 and be completed by the end of 2008.
