Through the boosting of connectivity, London could see tens of thousands of new homes unlocked as well as supporting a significant number of jobs.
Transport for London has progressed the proposals for public transport connections around Thamesmead and Beckton Riverside which can help provide Londoners with improved connectivity options. Progress has been made through the submission of a Strategic Outline Case to the government, outlining the potential to unlock up to 30,000 new homes and 10,000 jobs.
The areas of Thamesmead and Beckton are currently at the heart of the capital city’s major growth areas, with this making them a priority when it comes to regeneration and economic development. The options that are currently under discussion for the programme are based around two key transport improvements, with these being:
- A DLR extension from Gallions Reach to Thamesmead via Beckton Riverside, connecting two Opportunity Areas and four development sites. A new DLR station would be built at Beckton Riverside, with a tunnel under the River Thames linked to another new DLR station at Thamesmead.
- A Bus Transit scheme using dedicated infrastructure from Woolwich to Abbey Wood via Thamesmead to improve local connectivity and capacity in the wider Thamesmead area. Reliable, accessible, and regular connections to the Elizabeth line would be included alongside this.
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said:
“Since 2016, I’m proud to have started a record-breaking 116,000 genuinely affordable homes and, in recent years, we have also completed more homes of all types than at any time since 1930’s. But, the demand for housing in London continues to grow, and I’m determined to unlock the infrastructure needed for the capital’s growth.
“Extending the DLR would unlock huge opportunities for London. It would support tens of thousands of new homes, deliver new transport connection, and boost the economy – supporting the creation of thousands of jobs. Investment in our transport network is key to building a better, fairer, more prosperous London for all.”
The Royal Borough of Greenwich and London Borough of Newham, as well as three major landowners, will work alongside TfL on the project to develop the plans, with strong public and private partnership in place. This is complimented by continuous engagement with Homes England, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and the Department for Transport.
Experiences from the 2009 extension of the DLR will be used to aid the project.
London’s Transport Commissioner, Andy Lord, added:
“This is a unique opportunity that we should not miss out on, with policy support in pace at all levels, led by the Mayor of London, to deliver transformational regeneration and up to 25,000 to 30,000 homes over 30 years. By extending the DLR from Gallions Reach to Thamesmead via Beckton Riverside, we can deliver two new accessible stations, connect two major growth areas and four development sites in one go, bringing more housing, retail, leisure activities and unlocking more of London for those who live, work, or visit the city.
“We’ve seen what can be achieved with investment in public transport bringing transformational change over the past few years with the Elizabeth line, the Northern line extension to Battersea and the London Overground extension to Barking Riverside. This Strategic Outline Case is the next step on the way to making this scheme a reality.”
This project comes at a time when there is significant growth pressure on the city, with housing infrastructure required to keep pace with the demand. As forecasts show that the capital’s population will have significantly increased by 2041, there is a need for an additional 800,000 jobs in London which will, in turn, increase the need for additional housing. This infrastructure is also integral to the provision of viable alternatives to cars. Through this, the addition of new transport options will support low-carbon developments in the area.
Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, Mayor of Newham, said:
“The DLR extension, with a new station at Beckton Riverside is a game changer. It will support the transformation of Beckton Riverside into a sustainable and vibrant new neighbourhood and town centre in Newham, which is a borough redefining London. From Gallions Reach to Thamesmead, the new DLR station will connect two exciting Opportunity Areas in London and support our long-term plans in building a fairer Newham. Along with our ambitious investment case to government to expand Stratford Tube Station, which is a major transport connection for the capital and a major infrastructure priority for TfL, we are showing how we are unlocking new opportunities between east and south east London. Beckton Riverside in Newham will include up to 10,000 new genuinely affordable houses our people can afford, and the high-quality new green infrastructure will positively impact our communities in both Newham and Greenwich, as well as all Londoners.”
A UK-wide supply chain will be promoted through investment, helping to deliver growth and additional jobs around the country whilst also helping to identify further local and regional funding sources. Some degree of government support will be required, however, due to the scale of the project.
Photo credit: iStock
