DLR Thamesmead Extension

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Markets

Buildings & places

Transportation
Location

London, UK
Client

Transport for London
Collaborators

Arup, Ardent, We Made That, BAM, CJ Associates, ERM
Completion date

2030s

David Heal

Associate Director, London, UK contact form

Driving growth and unlocking opportunity through connectivity and strategic transport infrastructure

When the Government confirmed its support for the proposed Docklands Light Railway (DLR) Thamesmead Extension (DLR TEx) in the Budget in November 2025, it provided a significant step forward in the development of thousands of new homes and the potential for economic growth in this part of London.

The DLR TEx scheme is an exemplar of a place-based approach where transport infrastructure connects communities to places for work, education and leisure; in this case enabling a faster, more reliable route into central London from underserved areas.

Transport for London (TfL) is now progressing the Transport & Works Act Order Application (TWAO) stage for the extension of the DLR from Gallions Reach to two proposed stations at Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead, linked by a new tunnel under the River Thames.

The scheme is designed to unlock two of London’s largest remaining brownfield opportunities and enable 25,000–30,000 new homes and up to 10,000 jobs.

The challenge

The Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead Waterfront areas have long been constrained by poor transport connectivity, limiting housing and economic growth. Without a step-change in accessibility, the ambitious masterplans proposed for these areas cannot come forward. We are working with the client to mitigate consent and delivery risks, whilst also addressing challenges such as:

Integrating the DLR proposals with future masterplan proposals
Complex site conditions
Intensive programme milestones.

Our role

As part of the Strategic Thamesmead Extension Partnership (STEP), AtkinsRéalis and Arup are working hand in glove with TfL to take the project through the Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) stage and provide an integrated set of planning, engineering, environmental and programme services.

Our role spans the full lifecycle of the application phase where we will progressing TWAO preparation through to planned submission, supporting TfL to coordinate and engage with London borough authorities, landowners, and statutory stakeholders.

As part of a fully integrated and collaborative multi-consultant team, we will also be jointly responsible for:

Design, engineering and construction planning
Tunnel and viaduct structural design
Station architecture and urban integration
Track alignment and permanent way design
Transport Modelling
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) - including air quality, noise, water, biodiversity, and carbon reduction aspects
Planning & Consents
Preparation of application documentation
Cost estimating
Stakeholder engagement.

Our solution

Working as STEP with TfL we will deliver a consent-ready, placemaking-led rail extension designed to connect underserved areas and unlock growth at pace and scale.

Preferred Cross River Option: TfL’s proposed scheme extends the DLR from Gallions Reach to Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead via a twin bore tunnel under the Thames, creating high frequency, step free links to the Royal Docks, Docklands and central London (with interchanges at Custom House (Elizabeth line) and Canning Town (Jubilee line).

Integrated Programme and Stakeholder Engagement Approach: Through a highly collaborative partnership between STEP and TfL, our multidisciplinary team is implementing a complex integrated programme, including a progressive stakeholder engagement process and planned statutory public consultation (by TfL), with the aim of finalising an application in 2026.

Real Benefits for communities

The scheme will unlock the development of up to 25,000–30,000 new homes across Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead Waterfront and enable up to 10,000 jobs, transforming two large brownfield areas into well-connected, mixed use neighbourhoods.

For existing and new communities, the scheme offers faster, low carbon connectivity with direct, frequent DLR access to Docklands and central London with step-free stations. This will not only reduce car dependency and emissions, but improve access to opportunity for work and education.

The area is set for significant economic impact with regeneration across an estimated 145 ha of brownfield land, creating a multi-billion pound economic boost, and new town centre amenities supported by integrated placemaking.

The extension is a flagship transport project aligned with national and London growth plans, with Thamesmead Waterfront shortlisted by the New Towns Taskforce and the DLR extension identified as critical infrastructure to unlock its full potential.

Key facts

New stations

25 K+

Homes in development

10 K

Economic impact, creating jobs

£ 1.5 bn

Cost of scheme

Why AtkinsRéalis

Incumbent knowledge, integrated disciplines: We’ve been supporting feasibility work alongside Arup through earlier phases and now as part of the STEP consortium for TWAO, bringing together railway engineering, tunnelling, environment, planning, transport modelling, cost estimation, and placemaking into an integrated, outcomes-focused team.

TWAO experience to de-risk and deliver at speed: Prior experience with preparing and coordinating statutory documentation, environmental impact assessments, and stakeholder engagement, while integrating TWAO processes with design and engineering studies. We have strong expertise in delivering complex transport infrastructure approvals efficiently and collaboratively.

Transport-led placemaking expertise to catalyse growth: Station designs and urban integration being developed with partners to ensure the DLR extension can be the spine of vibrant future town centres, supporting the government’s call for high quality design and a focus on strong sense of place.

*Exterior illustration for indicative purposes only and subject to agreement with the planning authorities