The planned extension of the Docklands Light Railway to Thamesmead has been praised as a “vital” part of London’s recovery from coronavirus, as local politicians expressed relief at the £800m project remaining part of Transport for London’s pitch for emergency Government funding.

TfL included the scheme, which would see the line extended from Gallion’s Reach to Thamesmead, as part of their plea for funding from central Government.

The DLR extension was among the projects prioritised in a document, titled Investment to get London and the UK moving again, which was discussed at a TfL board meeting on Wednesday. 

However, another highly-publicised south-east London initiative in the Bakerloo Line tube extension to Lewisham was left out of the plans “given current affordability constraints”.

News Shopper: A major study last year collected public opinions on major home and job-building work predicted for the Thamesmead and Abbeywood area. Image: Wikimedia Commons - Kleon3.A major study last year collected public opinions on major home and job-building work predicted for the Thamesmead and Abbeywood area. Image: Wikimedia Commons - Kleon3.

Local politicians expressed relief the DLR extension was still being supported and urged the Government to confirm its future by committing funding.

Erith and Thamesmead MP  Abena Oppong-Asare said she was “extremely pleased” the extension remained a priority for TfL.

“I’ve been vocal about the benefits this extension would bring to the local economy and regeneration of Thamesmead,” she said.

“At a time when businesses are struggling to maintain momentum for the future and thousands of jobs have been put at risk, this will give the local community the boost they need. It is now on the Government to recognise the benefits of this proposal and support the extension with the funding it needs.”

London Assembly member for Greenwich and Lewisham, Len Duvall, said the project would form a “vital” part of combating a post coronavirus economic slump.

News Shopper: A map showing the proposed extension route to Thamesmead. Image: TfL A map showing the proposed extension route to Thamesmead. Image: TfL

“I have long argued for this infrastructure – this is an important scheme that will help support new housing in both boroughs of Greenwich and Bexley; at the same time providing access for residents including our young people to jobs and educational opportunities,” he said.

“It is vital that we plan for after Covid-19 and the economic downturn. I hope the Government will support this proposal.”

TfL’s documents state a potential completion time of between 2026 and 2030 for the £800m project.

 TfL stated the improved connectivity to 20,000 new homes planned for construction across the Thamesmead and Abbey Wood area, as well as 8000 jobs predicted for the area.

“Extending the Beckton branch of the DLR  across the river supports the regeneration of the Thamesmead and Abbey Wood Opportunity Area and would also unlock growth at Beckton Riverside,” the document states.

“The extension would improve connectivity across the river in some relatively deprived areas of London and increase capacity to support growth.”

News Shopper: The news comes at the same time that a planned extension of the Bakerloo Line to Lewisham was effectively shelved. The news comes at the same time that a planned extension of the Bakerloo Line to Lewisham was effectively shelved.

The same document reveals TfL has effectively shelved plans to extend the Bakerloo Line to Lewisham, with the project left out of their funding request for now.

The document states that project, alongside Crossrail 2, could still form part of TfL’s future plans.

“Very large projects from the Mayor’s Transport Strategy, particularly Crossrail 2 and Bakerloo Line Extension, are still relevant and aligned to the Department for Transport’s decarbonisation plan,” the document states.

“However, given current affordability constraints, our immediate priority for these is safeguarding, although they are still likely to be needed in the future to support long term growth and modal shift in London.”