Docklands Light Railway
The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) is a light rail public transport system for the redeveloped Docklands area of eastern London. It is administered by Transport for London; it is not part of the London Underground, but it does appear on the Tube map. The system was conceived in the late 1980s by the London Docklands Development Corporation to aid the regeneration of the docks of East London, which had been derelict since the 1960s. Most of the tracks are elevated; some of them were built on disused freight lines. The system was opened in 1987 on July 31.
The type of train used is a multiple unit that is driven fully automatically: there is no driver. However, there is a Passenger Service Agent (previously known as a Train Captain) on all trains who acts as a guard, controlling the doors, making announcements and checking tickets. In certain circumstances, such as in severe winds, they control train speed.
The fares are comparable to those for the Tube, although return fares on the Docklands Light Railway are priced at twice the single fare. There are no limited-stop trains on the DLR, so each train serves every stop along its route.
Map
Geographically accurate map of the Docklands Light Railway (Large)
Branches
Four branches currently exist: to Lewisham in the south, Stratford in the north, Beckton in the east and another leading into Central London (splitting to serve two nearby termini, Bank and Tower Gateway).
The western branch was initially planned to terminate only at Tower Gateway, as it was much cheaper to run the line only until there rather than joining it up with the London Underground network. However, the overground connection between Tower Hill tube station and Tower Gateway DLR proved unpopular and a tunnelled extension to Bank station was constructed to provide a direct link with the Tube.
The northern and southern branches terminate at the National Rail (mainline) stations at Stratford and Lewisham respectively. Other direct interchanges between National Rail and the DLR are at Limehouse, Canning Town and Greenwich.
Extensions
With the rapid development of the eastern Docklands as part of the "Thames Gateway" initiative, no fewer than four extensions are either under construction or being planned.
- A new eastbound branch from Canning Town to North Woolwich, which will serve London City Airport, is under construction. This will run along the southern side of the King George V Dock (the Beckton branch runs along the north side). The extension is projected to open in late 2005.
- A further extension from North Woolwich to Woolwich Arsenal, requiring a second DLR tunnel under the River Thames. Approval and funding for this latter extension was given by the Government on 26 February 2004, with the projected cost of £150 million expected to be met through the Private Finance Initiative. Construction is projected to begin in 2005.
- An extension from Canning Town to the new Stratford International station, linking the Docklands with the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. Four new stations will be built at Cody Road, Abbey Road, Stratford Market and Stratford International, with a possible fifth station between Cody Road and Canning Town under consideration. The extension will largely run over existing track currently operated by the North London Line, which would in future terminate at Stratford. The extension is projected to open in 2008 at the earliest.
- An extension from Gallions Reach to Dagenham Dock via the riverside at Barking. This would connect the Barking Reach area, a formerly industrial area now undergoing major redevelopment, with the Docklands. The extension would open in 2011 at the earliest.
Current projections for the trans-London Crossrail line entail interchanges with the DLR at Custom House and Stratford.
Main services
- Bank to Lewisham
- Stratford to Lewisham
- Tower Gateway to Beckton
Stations
West to East branches
North to South branches
