Docklands Light Railway station at Pontoon Dock to be upgraded

Plans to upgrade access at a Docklands Light Railway station in the midst of new housing have been approved by Newham Council.

Pontoon Dock station will see two new escalators taking passengers to the station via a mezzanine level in a growing area along the Canning Town to Woolwich Arsenal branch.

This stretch has seen thousands of new homes though many vast plots sit undeveloped decades after plans revealed.

The biggest site is Silvertown Quays. For 20 years nothing has happened but finally some movement with the first block evident on what is called a new “High Street”.

Eventually 6,730 homes are planned on site. It’s another site where developers bang on about the Elizabeth line when the DLR will be far closer to many future residents.

The site will retain listed Millennium Mills and “D Silo”.

That’s really the biggest catalyst for upgrading Pontoon Dock.

One stop west and many homes are also on the rise around West Silvertown station.

Deanston Wharf is nearing completion with 769 homes sitting directly next to Royal Wharf’s 3,500 homes built over recent years.

However much land with approved plans sits unbuilt to the south of West Silvertown.

Head west from there are a long-mooted station at Thames Wharf is still not confirmed near the Silvertown road tunnel.

Thousands of homes are earmarked but there’s no start date.

Transport for London have long planned for this DLR branch to reach pre-Elizabeth line passenger levels after a brief dip. New trains will eventually enter service offering greater capacity serving revamped stations such as Pontoon Dock.