Growing our International Connectivity Increase the capacity and range of the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) Increasing the capacity of the DLR through additional carriages, increased frequencies, extended range and more direct routes such as from LCY to Canary Wharf, will improve convenience and reliability for businesses and local residents. The immediate take up of cross river train services provided by the extension of the DLR to Woolwich Arsenal in early 2009 has proven the demand for further investment in rail services across the River Thames to open up opportunities for those living in boroughs such as Greenwich, Bexley and Lewisham. Support existing rail services The Jubilee Line carries more than 127 million passengers per year and is the only line on the London Underground which connects with all other existing lines. Upgrades are underway to install a new signalling system to increase capacity by 33% and reduce journey times by 22%. It is expected that this work will be complete by autumn 2010. This type of investment is just one example of projects brought forward by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games that East London will be able to take advantage of from 2010.
22
“Cross-river developments are keenly sought in East London in order to reduce congestion and provide access to opportunities in Canary Wharf and the wider Thames Gateway. ” Existing rail services between Central London and Essex and Kent provide a lifeline for those that have already chosen to locate in the Thames Gateway and they should be supported to ensure that operators are able to continually improve services and continue to invest in such routes, leading to further growth in these areas. In addition to international services, CTRL has also brought forward the operation of a high speed train service between Ebbsfleet in Kent and London St Pancras, opening up this part of the Thames Gateway for development. Plan effectively for Crossrail For the planned investment in Crossrail to be valuable to East London and the Thames Gateway as a whole, we must plan effectively for its implementation and integration with existing transport infrastructure and
hinterland. Crossrail provides a superb opportunity for a significant improvement in cross-London public transport, but only if it is connected with existing services and infrastructure to make it user friendly for travellers.
“Attracting overseas investment, particularly new businesses to locate in the Thames Gateway, requires reliable and frequent connections to international destinations. ” Drastically improve river crossing in East London Cross-river developments are keenly sought in East London in order to reduce congestion and provide access to opportunities in Canary Wharf and the wider Thames Gateway for those living and/or operating businesses south of the River Thames. The London Plan remains inadequate on this point. Regeneration is transport infrastructure led and its importance should not be underestimated in order to exploit the opportunities the Thames Gateway offers.