DLR Thamesmead Extension: Preferred Route Decided

[DynamicSpirit]

TfL say they have now decided on a preferred route for the proposed DLR extension to Thamesmead and have opened a new consultation about it. They are proposing to build a ground level station at Beckton Riverside, alongside Armada Way, and an elevated Thamesmead station, which as far as I can make out from their maps, will be roughly at the western end of the Thamesmead retail park shopping centre, with passive provision to further extend the DLR. I'm guessing the passive provision is part of the reason why they are making this station elevated - since it means any further extension can easily get across or run alongside the A2041 dual carriageway.

New consultation at https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/dlr-extension-consultation-2.
Railforums thread discussing the previous 2024 consultation at https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/dlr-thamesmead-extension-consultation.262324/

My initial impression is that, although I'd have preferred a longer extension, the plans look quite reasonable. My main doubt is, they are going to be feeding a lot of extra trains onto the existing DLR Beckton branch, where the extension would join that branch at Gallions Reach. Does the DLR have the capacity for that without decimating the service at Beckton?

 

[stuu]

They are planning a turnback siding at Custom House... initially/off peak they will run trains every 8 minutes to both Beckton and Thamesmead, to Stratford/Tower Gateway. In the peaks and once demand increases they will turn some trains at Custom House. Although I wouldn't be surprised if Beckton ends up permanently being a shuttle to Custom House though

 

[DynamicSpirit]

They are planning a turnback siding at Custom House... initially/off peak they will run trains every 8 minutes to both Beckton and Thamesmead, to Stratford/Tower Gateway. In the peaks and once demand increases they will turn some trains at Custom House. Although I wouldn't be surprised if Beckton ends up permanently being a shuttle to Custom House though

You mean a turnback siding from the East? That seems an unfortunate place to put it: If you're going to turn back trains from Beckton/Thamesmead, then that should really be done at Canning Town, to allow for the Jubilee line interchange there.

 

[alholmes]

They are planning a turnback siding at Custom House... initially/off peak they will run trains every 8 minutes to both Beckton and Thamesmead, to Stratford/Tower Gateway. In the peaks and once demand increases they will turn some trains at Custom House. Although I wouldn't be surprised if Beckton ends up permanently being a shuttle to Custom House though

The Options Analysis Technical Report, which forms part of the new consultation documents, states that the two options for turnback sidings are either a new siding beside the Ecology Park to the west of Canning Town, or a remodelling of Royal Victoria station. Custom House isn’t mentioned as an option.

 

[stuu]

Oops, always get those two confused

 

[DynamicSpirit]

I've now found the relevant bit of the consultation that mentions the possible turnback locations, at Royal Victoria and West of Canning Town. I hope they go for the Canning Town option - since remodelling Royal Victoria sounds a very expensive way to provide inferior connections.

 

[D1511]

I've now found the relevant bit of the consultation that mentions the possible turnback locations, at Royal Victoria and West of Canning Town. I hope they go for the Canning Town option - since remodelling Royal Victoria sounds a very expensive way to provide inferior connections.

The West of Canning Town option is complicated by the ramps on the blue (or Reubens) bridge ....which has been unused since it was constructed......but it is the better option IMO

The new station at Gallions will help with transforming the heavily car based site into a mixed use town centre.

 

[markymark2000]

I think both turnbacks have their own merits and arguably necessary. Make Royal Victoria a 'through' turnback so it can be used both for trains from Stratford/Poplar directions which could be useful for disruptive times to give a turnback that isn't just throwing everyone off at Canning Town which in itself is probably not ideal, especially when then to turn around means blocking a line somewhere. A tiny little divert off to Royal Victoria means the train can turn around in peace, or even change lines if needed (Ie between Stratford Intl line and Poplar lines)
The Canning Town turnback is best for the Thamesmead shuttles though on the basis of connections for passengers. If you throw people off at Royal Victoria, most of them will then wait for the next service to Canning Town and then maybe have to change services again there. It's just making passengers faff for the sake of faffing and I think it will hinder the potential patronage on the route if people are turfed off 1 station before literally all of the connections (bus, tube, DLR to most other destinations)