Transport for London (TfL) has opened a public consultation on proposals to extend the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) from Gallions Reach to Thamesmead via Beckton Riverside.
A new tunnel beneath the River Thames forms a central part of the project.
This scheme represents one of the largest proposed transport and regeneration initiatives for east London.
The planned tunnel would connect Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead, passing through a substantial chalk layer described by TfL as being “well suited to tunnelling.” This ground type was successfully used during the construction of the DLR extension to Woolwich Arsenal, completed in 2009.
The proposal involves excavating through chalk strata to support a cross-river rail link and provide connections to development sites on both sides of the Thames.
Two new DLR stations are included in the plans, with one at Beckton Riverside, opposite Gallions Reach Shopping Park, and another at Thamesmead Waterfront, a 100-hectare (ha) site.
TfL’s proposals indicate that the Thamesmead location is also under consideration within the Government’s New Town programme. In addition to the rail extension, plans include a potential bus transit scheme, utilising new dedicated infrastructure between Woolwich, Thamesmead, and Abbey Wood.
The government has confirmed conditional funding support for this bus network, subject to an approved business case.
The tunnel would be supported by ground investigation works scheduled for June to September 2026. These activities will include drilling 28 exploratory holes up to 60 metres deep to gather baseline geological data.
Additional procedures involve downhole geophysical testing, such as borehole nuclear logging, with all radioactive measurement conducted under relevant regulatory licences. Safety measures will be in effect for both workers and the public during these operations, including protective clothing for staff and controlled public access.
TfL said the extension is projected to support up to 30,000 new homes along the proposed route, and enable the creation of as many as 10,000 jobs. The improved links are intended to facilitate direct connections from Thamesmead and Beckton Riverside to the Jubilee and Elizabeth lines, as well as reduce dependency on private vehicles by encouraging a shift to rail and bus travel.
The public consultation, running to 16 July 2026, is TfL’s third round seeking input on the scheme. Feedback will inform further design development in advance of a planned Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application, expected in early 2027.
TfL is also carrying out a full Environmental Impact Assessment to assess land stability, environmental effects and proposed construction methods, along with potential impacts on local communities and material transport routes.
Subject to final funding and approvals, construction of the tunnel and the wider DLR extension could begin as early as 2029, with operation targeted for the early 2030s.
TfL has confirmed that ongoing policy support, as well as involvement from the Greater London Authority, local authorities, government departments and major landowners, will be needed to progress the scheme.
