Station closures to hit DLR

Stations from East India to Prince Regent will be shut for the duration, while East India to London City Airport will also be closed.

The weekend of May 30 and 31 will also see the closures extended from Westferry through to Woolwich Arsenal and Beckton.

DLR director Jonathan Fox said: "The suspension needs to last nine days as the work - including signalling and train testing - has to take place on consecutive days.

"We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate this will cause disruption so have planned the work to take place over the Bank Holiday weekend when passenger numbers are lower.

"The timing also reduces commuter disruption to four working days."

Bus replacement services will run every two and a half minutes during rush hour, but will not serve Wooolwich Arsenal commuters, who are advised to use Southeastern overground trains during the weekend.

A DLR service to London City Airport will be running on weekdays.

The Jubilee line at Canning Town will not be affected.

The nine-day closure will allow work to be done on the junction at Canning Town, which will eventually create a new route from the station to Stratford International and its Channel Tunnel Rail Link.

Mr Fox added it was for the long term benefit of passengers that the lengthy works take place.

He said: "This work at Canning Town will enable us to increase our service from Tower Gateway to Beckton. It will also mean more Woolwich Arsenal trains will run directly to Bank.

"It will also connect the current DLR network with the new Stratford International extension, ready for when it opens next year."

The announcement comes on top of a complete DLR closure this Sunday due to work being carried out at the junction at West India Quay.

The first closure is to allow work on the junction at West India Quay, as well as a three-car train extension, which is due to be brought in on the DLR in early 2010.