30 years of the Docklands Light Railway

A DLR train at Pontoon
Dock, 7th April 2017

Opening on the 30th July 1987, the DLR today celebrates 30 years of serving East London. With just 15 stations open in 1987, the DLR has massively expanded and carries over 122 million passengers a year to and from 45 stations, connecting the Docklands, East London, South London and the City together. Famous for being driver less, sitting at the front of the DLR is still something that makes me excited. Although it is not a London Underground line, I thoroughly enjoy riding around on the DLR. So sit back, relax, as I take you on a quick journey through 30 years of history.

The view of Docklands
from Tower Bridge,
17th June 2017

The docks are an important part of London's history, but with various factors in the 1960s such as the rise of air travel to transport goods, boats becoming too large to navigate the Thames and good increasingly being transported in containers meant less staff were needed to take goods off boats as a crane could do most of the work, meant that this part of London was in serious decline. In 1966 the area lost a major railway, the London and Blackwall Railway, which closed due to reduced passengers numbers. However, in 1981 the government created the London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC) which became incredibly influential in regenerating the Docklands which were a site of low population, high unemployment and lack of leisure and recreation facilitates. 

Platforms at Royal Victoria,
7th April 2017

There was a demand for a cost effective transportation to be built to supply the Docklands to connect the new business district at Canary Wharf, with the City and with the newly opened London City Airport. A variety of proposals were considered, with ideas such as having a terminus at Aldgate East, and allowing DLR trains to integrate with the London Underground network and use the District line tracks to serve other stations in the city. However, the cheapest and easiest option was to use the site of the old Minories railway station, becoming Tower Gateway, which is located close to Tower Hill London Underground station. The original route from Tower Gateway to Stratfrod and Island Gardens was mainly built on disused railway viaducts or disused surface railway formations. 

How did the DLR expand?

How the DLR integrates
with the London Underground
at Canning Town,
4th April 2017

Queen Elizabeth II formally opened the DLR on the 30th July 1987, but passenger services did not begin until 31st August 1987. In 1991 the station at Canary Wharf opened to the public, as did the DLR platforms at Bank. Tower Gateway received criticism due to there not being a direct interchange with the London Underground, and the railway usage was larger than expected. The DLR than expanded further east out to Beckton in 1994 and Pudding Mill Lane station opened in 1996. The tunnel under the river Thames to Lewisham opened in 1999. Another new branch was opened in 2005, originally terminating at King George V, but then extended under the Thames to Woolwich Arsenal in 2009. Langdon Park opened in 2007, before a new branch from Canning Town to Stratford International was built via. West Ham in 2011. 

The DLR is an important
service to Canary Wharf,
4th April 2017

Only five stations on the DLR have ticket barriers, but this does still mean you need to pay to use the other 40 stations. To ensure passengers are correctly paying for the DLR, random on-train inspections are conducted regularly. So make sure you remember to tap in and tap out to avoid paying a penalty fine of up to £80. The DLR integrates with local bus services, London Overground, Emirates Airline, National rail services, TFL Rail (which is currently slowly becoming part of Crossrail), London City Airport, Riverboat services and the London Underground. The DLR is also fully accessible to wheelchairs, with access available at each station. 

I believe the DLR has been a success over the last 30 years, and the fact there are ongoing plans to expand the railway further is testament to this. To mark 30 years of service, Transport for London have produced Destination DLR, which includes 30 thing to do by using the Docklands Light Railway. Out of the 30 things they suggest you do, I highly recommend the following five things:

1) Crossrail Place

The new Crossrail station
at Canary Wharf,
4th April 2017

Canary Wharf is a modern business district that is home to some of the worlds largest businesses. The area is currently undergoing exciting times in terms of transport as Crossrail nears completion. If you want a taste as to what lies ahead visit the impressive roof garden and sample the facilities that will soon become heart of the station in December 2018.

2) Museum of London Docklands

If you are interested in the history of this part of London I strongly recommend that you visit the Museum of London Docklands which is a short distance from West India Quay. Until 3rd September 2017 you can discover 8,000 years of human history that was unearthed by the Crossrail project. 

3) Greenwich Market

Greenwich Market is a gem in the middle of Maritime Greenwich, which itself is home to the Royal Observatory, Cutty Sark and the National Maritime Museum. If you love street food, then Greenwich Market is perfect for you. From Ethiopian Vegetarian Food, to German Bratwurst, to Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Greenwich Market has plenty of choice for you to dive into, as well as quirky market stalls.

4) MBNA Thames Clippers

If you are a commuter and you want a more relaxing way to travel across London, or a tourist and want to see the sights of London, then why not try using MBNA Thames Clippers? Piers near DLR stations include Canary Wharf, Masthouse Terrace (near Mudchute and Island Gardens), Greenwich (nearer Cutty Sark for Maritime Museum than Greenwich station) and Woolwich (Royal Arsenal). Services go to Putney, Chelsea Harbour, Westminster, Blackfriars, Tower and many more locations along the river Thames. 

5) Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park,
June 2014

London is not only celebrating 30 years of the DLR, but fiver years since the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. To marvel in some of the sights and sounds of London 2012 you can still visit the Olympic Park. Until 2nd September 2017 explore the UK's largest urban park, slide down The Slide at the ArcelorMittal Orbit, or if you are not a thrill seeker, visit the top for some incredible views of the Olympic Park. You can also swim in the same pool where Michael Phelps broke the record for the most Olympic medals won. 

The DLR itself is a pleasant transportation experience, as well as providing access to many of London's leading attractions and venues, from the Cutty Sark to the ExCeL. Why not grab your Oyster card and explore the wonders of the DLR?