Cutty Sark Docklands Light Railway station closing for ten months

Transport for London have announced that Cutty Sark Docklands Light Railway station will close for ten months from 31 May.

The work will see all four escalators replaced which have long been problematic and currently require passengers to use one small lift or climb 121 stairs.

Passengers are also forced to use a backstreet entrance to access the station.

TfL blamed the condition of lifts on poor maintenance under a previous PFI contract which built and operated the Lewisham extension upon opening in 1999.

Cutty Sark was a late addition to the plan and built to a budget. Platforms can only take two-car trains.

One wonders why the contract didn’t stipulate escalators were handed back in good condition – and if that was in the contract why it wasn’t enforced.

The ten month closure is longer than a previous estimate given earlier this year of six months.

Alternative

Greenwich station is the recommended alternative while the £4 million project is undertaken. It sees both Southeastern and DLR services.

A little tip for those using it and heading to parts of the town centre: You can avoid crowded pavements upon leaving Greenwich station to parts of the town centre by cutting through Straightsmouth (turn left at The Mitre pub) then head through the lovely St Alfege park to reach Bardsley Lane then you’re close to Creek Road.

TfL also state that proposed free DLR journeys from Cutty Sark to Island Gardens starting when Silvertown Tunnel begins will now be usable from Greenwich. I’m still not sure exactly who wants to travel between Greenwich and Island Gardens’ station but you can.

Cutty Sark is the third busiest station on the DLR network so this’ll add a fair bit of extra crowds to Greenwich station.

If Southeastern are smart they could promote their own services better given how quick Greenwich station is to central London. London Bridge is just eight minutes away.

The DLR had the benefit of being located closer to town centre attractions such as the market and Cutty Sark itself but now that benefit is gone. I’ve long thought Southeastern don’t make enough of Greenwich station’s proximity to central London.

The same goes for Maze Hill really and Greenwich Park.

Anyway, you’ve less than two months to try to squeeze into a lift or climb all those steps before closure and hopefully this saga ends for good upon reopening in 2026.