DLR gets funding boost for Beckton line

By Simon Hayes on April 17, 2009 12:41 PM |

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The three-car upgrade of the Docklands Light Railway has moved a step closer to completion with funding confirmed for the line to Beckton.

A total of £18.2million will be provided to boost passenger capacity on trains serving the route, calming fears it would miss out on the upgrade being carried out on the rest of the network.

TfL's London Rail managing director Ian Brown said: "We were concerned the Beckton line was the only line where funding was not in place to upgrade to three-car operation.

"It is a route which is growing fast as it serves the ExCeL exhibition and conference centre and the University of East London."

The cash has been contributed by a number of agencies. The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) provided £10.8million, the Housing Communities Agency (HCA) £5.4million and the London Development Agency (LDA) £2million.

Representatives from all the agencies were present when the announcement was made at Prince Regent DLR station this morning.

Mr Brown added: "The funding partners have all come together to allow this route to be converted before the 2012 Games, so adding the last piece of the jigsaw to complete the DLR upgrade.

"It really does show commitment to ensuring that this route is capable of meeting future demand."

The DLR currently operates a two-car service but is introducing an extra carriage to trains to keep pace with growing passenger numbers and the demands of London 2012.

Three-car trains will run between Bank and Lewisham early next year followed by a network-wide roll out.