Improving the DLR

With DLR improvements, journeys are getting brighter

We're always working to make your journeys better. That's why we're introducing new DLR trains for more comfortable journeys.

The DLR is the busiest light railway in the UK. It operates across 6 opportunity areas in London which together have the potential to provide more than 124,000 homes and 200,000 jobs.

Potential DLR extension

We're considering extending the DLR to to Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead.

Our report on the consultation we held is on the DLR extension consultation page.

new dlr train

New trains

We're introducing 54 new trains to replace the 33 oldest trains in our fleet, some of which are more than 30 years old. Our order for 11 of the extra trains was funded by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

The new trains will help us to improve the frequency and reliability of services and support population and employment growth across the network, particularly in parts of the Royal Docks and the Isle of Dogs where the DLR is the main transport option.

Benefits

The new DLR trains will feature:

  • Spacious walk-through carriages
  • Live travel information
  • Air conditioning
  • Improved accessibility features
  • Mobile device charging points

The first of the new trains arrived at Beckton depot in January 2023. They're being tested and integrated with the DLR's signalling system to ensure they're reliable when they come into service.

Other works at Beckton and Poplar depots, and on the rest of the network, are needed to prepare for the new fleet. Alongside routine track and infrastructure maintenance, we're upgrading our power and communications systems across the network during engineering hours and closures.

Planned closures in 2025

We'll do everything we can to minimise disruption to customers, but on some weekends we'll need to close sections of the railway to finish the DLR upgrade work. We apologise for any inconvenience. The closures for the next few months are published on our planned line closures and service changes page.

Friday 21 February

  • Reduced service on network - depot upgrade works to prepare for new trains

Saturday 1 March - Sunday 2 March

  • Stratford International to Woolwich Arsenal and Beckton to Poplar - signal testing

Saturday 8 March - Sunday 9 March

  • Bank to Lewisham, Tower Gateway to Canning Town and Stratford to Canary Wharf - signal testing

Saturday 15 March - Sunday 16 March

  • Stratford to Canary Wharf - maintenance works

Saturday 22 March - Sunday 23 March

  • Bank to Lewisham, Tower Gateway to Canning Town and Stratford to Canary Wharf - signal testing

Saturday 29 March - Sunday 30 March

  • Stratford International to Woolwich Arsenal and Beckton to Poplar - signal testing

Construction at Beckton Depot

We're still developing this facility so it's ready for the introduction of our new train fleet. The main depot works started in 2021

Noise

Although some noise is unavoidable during such works, our contractor will take all reasonably practicable measures to control it in line with the Control of Pollution Act 1974. We're a community railway and minimising disturbance to our neighbours is key.

Contact us if you have any concerns or questions about the programme of works:

DLR timetable

As part of an ongoing review of the DLR's signalling system, we identified some sections of the DLR network that needed a small reduction in train speed, as such, we've had to amend the timetable slightly to accommodate.

The small changes introduced should only have a minimal impact to customer journey times.  Further assessment needs to take place before we decide whether any of the changes need to be made permanent.

Escalators at Cutty Sark

We're sorry that our repair work on the existing escalators at Cutty Sark station has not returned them to service. You can still get in and out of the station via the 2 staircases and one-way system.

We now have funding to replace all 4 escalators - we'll update this page as soon as we have worked out the timescales.

Additional staff are still at the station to help with any issues.

North Quay

We're working closely with Canary Wharf Group to support the development of the North Quay, alongside the Elizabeth line Canary Wharf station. This will mean improved access to West India Quay station and a new connection from Poplar station directly into the Canary Wharf estate, improving connections with City Airport, ExCeL and more.

Canary Wharf Group started construction on these improvements in 2024.