Transport for London appoints contractor for Docklands Light Railway depot upgrade

Transport for London has now appointed Morgan Sindall as the main delivery partner for the programme of work at Docklands Light Railway's Beckton Depot which will include a brand new maintenance building and the increase of its stabling capacity.

The expansion project comes as part of the DLR Train Programme and will also include 54 brand new five-car Docklands Light Railway trains which will begin operating in 2024. Some of the railway's oldest rolling stock which is nearing its end of useful life will be replaced by 33 of the new trains alongside a further 21 trains bringing an increase in capacity for the network. The new trains offer the latest mod cons including:

• a walk-through layout
• audio and visual real-time travel information
• air conditioning
• mobile device charging points

The major project will see a brand new maintenance building which will feature a new train-lifting road, craneage alongside under-train access and pits which will allow the new B23 trains assembly to be completed. The site will also undertake long-term maintenance for the new trains as well as a new test track facility which will enable testing of the new Thales signalling system and will be used by the new fleet alongside the current B2007 trains which will remain in operation.

The increased fleet for Docklands Light Railway will mirror the ever-growing demand in east London and therefore further stabling is also necessary. The current southern sidings will see an extension as well as additional sidings built which will be located to the north of the new maintenance building. Following the programme of work, the Beckton Depot will have six new sidings which will be able to house 15 trains.

Tom Page, TfL's General Manager of the DLR, said “The improvements at Beckton Depot are an integral part of the new DLR train programme. Improved facilities will ensure the trains are well maintained to make sure our customers get the most reliable service possible.”

Simon Smith, Managing Director for Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, said: “Our work at Beckton Depot will be a key enabler in unlocking additional capacity for TfL's DLR, improving connections to east and southeast London.

“We're pleased to partner with TfL once again as we work together to connect people, places and communities through innovative and responsible infrastructure.”

Docklands Light Railway sees over 90 million journeys made every year and is the busiest light railway in the country. The new trains will also provide more frequent direct services which will support the area's employment and cultural hub at Stratford enabling better connectivity for passengers making their way across southeast London to east London, removing the need to use Zone 1. The railway also serves Canary Wharf which is a major centre for professional and financial sectors and links to the Tube network via the new Elizabeth line which recently saw its 100 millionth journey.