New DLR trains unveiled by London Mayor Ken Livingstone

Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, took time out from his re-election campaign to officially unveil the new-look Docklands Light Railway trains.

Mr Livingstone was joined at West India Quay station this morning (Thursday, March 13) by Olympic athlete Dean Macey and officials from the Olympic Delivery Authority, including chief executive John Armitt. The new trains will form a key component of the 2012 Olympic transport infrastructure.

The carriages will start to be introduced from next month alongside existing two-carriage DLR rolling stock. Three carriage trains will be operational once platform extensions across the network are completed in 2012.

Mr Livingstone said: "These carriages will lead to an increase of 50 per cent capacity of the DLR and provide much more attractive modern trains.

"It's just such an improvement on the others, it makes them look a bit tacky now. It won't be long before we think of refurbishing the existing ones as these come into use."

simon.hayes@wharf.co.uk