Docklands Light Railway to see reduced weekend services throughout May in advance of new trains

Disruption across the Docklands Light Railway is expected throughout a number of full weekends during May.

Construction work on new sidings and depot changes in Beckton in advance of new trains means a reduced service on Friday 10th – Sunday 12th, Friday 17th – Sunday 19th and no trains after 23:30 from Wednesday 29th to May 31st.

The below poster states “most routes” while TfL’s online page states all routes.

Sidings in Beckton both to the north and south of the existing site are being expanded to accommodate a net increase in trains for the DLR.

Both the introduction of new rolling stock and depot works have been hampered by problems.

Firstly, contractor Buckingham constructing sidings entered administration last summer. TfL state this hasn’t delayed the overall project and service introduction of new trains. A new contractor is now on site.

New train introduction has also seen a hiccup with the first one supposed to be running by now. Yet an issue during testing which saw it overshoot when stopping has played a part in missing that deadline.

When in service passengers can expect fully- walk-through trains, air con and USB sockets. Capacity and service improvements will be introduced given a net increase in overall trains.

Some of the oldest trains still running and in line for scrapping are beginning to show their age, with internal fittings looking ever more tired.

It seems like Transport for London have given up maintaining tip-up seats as most times recently I’ve been on board their seat covers are falling off. The carriages are generally looking pretty tired.

Despite issues with both sidings and new stock, TfL’s recent Programmes and Investment Committee meeting stated “the end date for the renewal of the full fleet remains Quarter 2 2026/27”.