Docklands Light Railway (DLR) today (Monday 2 March) reopened its refurbished Tower Gateway station, two months ahead of schedule.

£13m of improvements have been made to the station, which had been closed for eight months, including:

  • The construction of a horseshoe-style platform, which makes it easier and faster for passengers to get on or off trains
  • Platform and track remodelling, to allow longer three-car trains to operate from early 2010
  • The installation of new canopies that will provide better protection from adverse weather conditions
  • New energy-efficient escalators

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: 'Plaudits must be accorded to everyone involved with this project.

Direct service

'Regular DLR users will have missed the station while it was shut but I know they will be pleased to discover an improved service upon their return.'

The re-opening of Tower Gateway also means DLR can now operate more trains to and from its new Woolwich Arsenal station.

During peak times there will be a train from Woolwich every five minutes, on average, instead of every seven. 

Passengers will also be able to take a direct service from Tower Gateway to Beckton via the ExCeL exhibition and conference centre and the University of East London.

Jonathan Fox, Director DLR, said: 'Our new look Tower Gateway station includes many benefits for passengers and I am confident they will be impressed by its improved facilities and better accessibility.

Improvements

'Furthermore passengers travelling to Woolwich via London City Airport will enjoy a more frequent peak service, while those heading to Beckton via ExCeL and the University of East London can take advantage of a swift, direct journey.

'It is particularly pleasing to see DLR once again maintain its record of delivering major projects ahead of schedule.'

Ian Brown, Managing Director London Rail, said: 'This is the first of a series of improvements being finished this year to pave the way for the introduction of three-carriage DLR trains before the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

'Finishing Tower Gateway is key to our planning for growth on the DLR in the future.'


Notes to editors:

  • Docklands Light Railway is part of Transport for London
  • The DLR Woolwich Arsenal extension was opened by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, on 12 January, seven weeks ahead of schedule
  • Off-peak trains will continue to travel to and from Woolwich Arsenal every 10 minutes
  • The Bank-Lewisham branch of the DLR network will begin running three-carriage trains early next year. The rest of the network will be able to run longer trains from 2011