Light Rail Transit Association   URBAN TRANSIT NEWS 2005

Work begins on DLR Woolwich Extension: The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, and Transport Minister Karen Buck have marked the start of work on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) extension to Woolwich Arsenal.The Minister said: "The extension will provide a fast and frequent service to the City and Docklands and, for international travellers, easy access to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link at Stratford International Station and to London City Airport." When finished early in 2009, the 2.5km extension will run under the Thames from King George V station at North Woolwich, through two parallel bored tunnels, to Woolwich Arsenal.

The DLR opened in 1987 and by 1994 was carrying 8.2m passengers. By 2003 passenger numbers stood at 44m and DLR is now carrying over 50m passengers a year. The network has grown from 15 to 34 stations and 11 to 94 vehicles running over 27km of track. Trains will be extended from two to three vehicles by 2009.

14 June 2005