Editing Docklands Light Railway (section)

===Extensions to London City Airport & Woolwich (2004–2009)===
[[File:Woolwich Arsenal Extension map.PNG|thumb|Route of the Woolwich Arsenal extension]]
An extension to [[London City Airport]] from the existing Beckton branch was explored in the mid-90s, at first via travelator from [[Royal Albert DLR station|Royal Albert]], and then in 1998 via a proposed lift-bridge over the dock with an intermediate station at West Silvertown.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Prescott backs DLR airport extension |url=http://www.nce.co.uk/prescott-backs-dlr-airport-extension/844052.article |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002145100/http://www.nce.co.uk/prescott-backs-dlr-airport-extension/844052.article |archive-date=2 October 2011 |access-date=25 June 2009 |newspaper=New Civil Engineer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=14 August 2020 |title=Transport Plans for the London Area - East |url=https://husk.org/www.geocities.com/athens/acropolis/7069/tpftla_e.html#Connaught |access-date=18 April 2022 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814141509/https://husk.org/www.geocities.com/athens/acropolis/7069/tpftla_e.html#Connaught |archive-date=14 August 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=LCY Extension Project: The Routes |url=http://www.dlr.co.uk:80/extension/lcy/airport/old/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010629133143/http://www.dlr.co.uk:80/extension/lcy/airport/old/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 June 2001 |access-date=18 April 2022 |website=Docklands Light Railway (Archived)}}</ref> The government initially supported this proposal, and in 1999 was developed to the route known today with a further extension to King George V. At this time, the further route to Woolwich Arsenal was developed with an intermediate station at Woolwich Reach, but was viewed as a longer-term aspiration. The Woolwich Reach station (on the south bank of the Thames, at the site of the Marlborough Road ventilation and escape shaft), was descoped in 2000.

The extension was aided by a five-year programme of investment for public transport across London that was unveiled by Mayor of London [[Ken Livingstone]] on 12 October 2004.<ref name="10bnscheme">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2004/oct/12/transport.london|title=Mayor unveils £10bn scheme for capital's transport|last=Muir|first=Hugh|date=12 October 2004|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London|access-date=28 June 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828083628/http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2004/oct/12/transport.london|archive-date=28 August 2013}}</ref> On 2 December 2005, an eastward branch along the approximate route of the former [[Eastern Counties and Thames Junction Railway]] on the southern side of the [[Royal Docks]] complex opened from Canning Town to {{stl|DLR|King George V}} via {{stl|DLR|London City Airport}}.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/business/article749409.ece |title=Docklands Light Railway reaches City airport |newspaper=The Times |access-date=25 June 2009 |location=London |date=6 December 2005 |first1=Fiona |last1=Hamilton |first2=Sam |last2=Coates |first3=Michael |last3=Savage}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

A further extension from {{stl|DLR|King George V}} to [[Woolwich Arsenal station|Woolwich Arsenal]] opened on 10 January 2009, providing interchange with National Rail services.<ref name="RWT-DLR-upgrade"/> The extension again used Private Finance Initiative funding,<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 February 2004 |title=New DLR extension wins approval |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/3489298.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060216013429/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/3489298.stm |archive-date=16 February 2006 |access-date=24 June 2009 |work=BBC News}}</ref> with construction beginning in June 2005, the same month that the contracts were finalised.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/feeds/afx/2005/06/01/afx2068185.html |title=AMEC, RBoS jv finalise contract for DLR extension to Woolwich Arsenal |work=Forbes |location=New York |access-date=24 June 2009 |date=6 January 2005 }}{{dead link|date=January 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The tunnels under the Thames were completed on 23 July 2007,<ref>{{Cite press release|url=http://pressroom.dlr.co.uk/news/details.asp?id=141 |title=Tunnel extending Docklands Light Railway to Woolwich completed |date=23 July 2007 |publisher=Transport for London |access-date=29 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928011206/http://pressroom.dlr.co.uk/news/details.asp?id=141 |archive-date=28 September 2007 }}</ref> and formally opened by [[Boris Johnson]], [[Mayor of London]] on 12 January 2009.<ref>{{Cite press release|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/static/corporate/media/newscentre/archive/10970.html |title=Mayor unveils DLR Woolwich Arsenal station |publisher=Transport for London |date=12 January 2009 |access-date=19 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425184416/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/static/corporate/media/newscentre/archive/10970.html |archive-date=25 April 2012 }}</ref> Following completion, the project was shortlisted for the 2009 Prime Minister's Better Public Building Award.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/archive/dlr-extension-award-10-06-2009/ |title=DLR extension award |work=Construction News |date=10 June 2009 |access-date=24 June 2009 }}</ref>

The original {{stl|DLR|Tower Gateway}} station was closed in mid-2008 for complete reconstruction. The two terminal tracks either side of a narrow island platform were replaced by a single track between two platforms, one for arriving passengers and the other for departing ([[Spanish solution]]). It reopened on 2 March 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://improvements.dlr.co.uk/project_updates/towergateway.asp |title=Tower Gateway Station&nbsp;– Now Open |publisher=Transport for London |access-date=21 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090702022120/http://improvements.dlr.co.uk/project_updates/towergateway.asp |archive-date=2 July 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |location=Ilford |url=http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/content/towerhamlets/advertiser/news/story.aspx?brand=elaonline&category=news&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newsela&itemid=WeED02%20Mar%202009%2008%3A51%3A29%3A073 |title=DLR Terminal suddenly reopens: Taking passengers by surprise |newspaper=[[East London Advertiser]] |access-date=21 June 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305010509/http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/content/towerhamlets/advertiser/news/story.aspx?brand=ELAOnline&category=news&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newsela&itemid=WeED02%20Mar%202009%2008%3A51%3A29%3A073 |archive-date=5 March 2009 }}</ref>

As part of an upgrade to allow three-car trains, strengthening work was necessary at the Delta Junction north of {{stl|DLR|West India Quay}}.<ref>{{harvnb|Christopher|2013|p=68}}</ref> It was decided to include this in a plan for further grade separation to eliminate the conflict between services to Stratford and from Bank. A new timetable was introduced, with improved frequencies at peak hours. The new grade-separated route from Bank to Canary Wharf is used throughout the day, bypassing West India Quay station until mid-evening.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://developments.dlr.co.uk/pdf/enhancements/phase2/delta.pdf |title=Docklands Light Railway (DLR) Delta Junction Grade Separation |publisher=Transport for London |access-date=21 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071003191051/http://developments.dlr.co.uk/pdf/enhancements/phase2/delta.pdf |archive-date=3 October 2007 }}</ref> Work on this project proceeded concurrently with the three-car upgrade work and the 'diveunder' (sometimes referred to as a flyunder but DLR have coined the term in this instance 'diveunder'), and the improved timetable came into use on 24 August 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://developments.dlr.co.uk/enhancements/capacity/wiqpoplar.asp |title=Docklands Light Railway&nbsp;– West India Quay/Poplar Junction Improvements |publisher=Transport for London |access-date=1 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627085203/http://developments.dlr.co.uk/enhancements/capacity/wiqpoplar.asp |archive-date=27 June 2009 }}</ref>