DLR Thamesmead extension: New study to be funded

Funding has been allocated to further look into extending the DLR from Beckton over the Thames to Thamesmead.

Details are featured within a report before TfL’s Finance Board.

The extension as things stand would not link to Abbey Wood for Elizabeth Line, Southeastern and Thameslink services.

Given that for many residents in Thamesmead it will be quicker to take a bus to Abbey Wood then a train, the service as things stand has limited appeal to existing residents.

One of the key aims is however for future residents, as the DLR is seen as essential by Peabody to unlock land to build up to 20,000 homes at Tripcock Ness, or Thamesmead Waterfront as seen on the map below.

This area of former MOD land still retains remnants from military use.

Service levels could be quite low as the Beckton branch would split into three potential terminals.

The question is will government find such an extension when it has a deep aversion to infrastructure spending, and particularly when Peabody is not doing itself and housing need much good by sitting on various plots of land within walking distance of the Elizabeth line and failing to build.

A reluctant government may well ask Peabody why should we fund when you fail to build housing on numerous areas of land you already own and are vacant?

Peabody own a former pub site around 100 metres from Abbey Wood station with planning permission but apparently have no intention to build, alongside various other sites including hundreds of metres lining Harrow Manorway where hundreds of households were evicted in recent years and shopowners removed.

Buildings were knocked down without any firm plan to build. Peabody stated in a presentation they may not build on some areas until the late 2030s, and that’s minutes from the new Elizabeth line.

Any DLR extension will be someway off if reliant upon Peabody for housing.