TfL pushing on with DLR extension to Thamesmead

[ThinLizzy]

www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/tfl-pushing-on-with-dlr-extension-to-thamesmead-62033/

Interesting the map says "potential further extension" beyond Thamesmead. Not sure where it would go from there

[vjaska]

Apr 18, 2023 15:54:22 GMT ThinLizzy said:

www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/tfl-pushing-on-with-dlr-extension-to-thamesmead-62033/

Interesting the map says "potential further extension" beyond Thamesmead. Not sure where it would go from there

The 2nd last paragraph says "Although not part of this feasibility study, the Thamesmead and Abbey Wood Opportunity Area Planning Framework (OAPF) leaves open the possibility of extending the DLR further through Thamesmead towards Belvedere, and also on the north side of the river up towards Barking"

[Nathan]

Apr 18, 2023 15:59:10 GMT vjaska said:

Apr 18, 2023 15:54:22 GMT ThinLizzy said:

www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/tfl-pushing-on-with-dlr-extension-to-thamesmead-62033/

Interesting the map says "potential further extension" beyond Thamesmead. Not sure where it would go from there

The 2nd last paragraph says "Although not part of this feasibility study, the Thamesmead and Abbey Wood Opportunity Area Planning Framework (OAPF) leaves open the possibility of extending the DLR further through Thamesmead towards Belvedere, and also on the north side of the river up towards Barking"

Would be great if it could come out towards Erith and Dartford!

[ThinLizzy]

Apr 18, 2023 15:59:10 GMT vjaska said:

Apr 18, 2023 15:54:22 GMT ThinLizzy said:

www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/tfl-pushing-on-with-dlr-extension-to-thamesmead-62033/

Interesting the map says "potential further extension" beyond Thamesmead. Not sure where it would go from there

The 2nd last paragraph says "Although not part of this feasibility study, the Thamesmead and Abbey Wood Opportunity Area Planning Framework (OAPF) leaves open the possibility of extending the DLR further through Thamesmead towards Belvedere, and also on the north side of the river up towards Barking"

ahh I only read through it quickly getting off the district line.

[wirewiper]

The wider transport package also includes a "bus transit" from Woolwich to Abbey Wood via Thamesmead. Ideally this would run mostly on segregated lanes as a "tram on rubber tyres", rather like the once-proposed Greenwich Waterfront Transit that was cancelled in 2008, but smaller in scope. This could be introduced well ahead of the DLR extension which, if approved, is not likely to come on stream until the early 2030s.

The two schemes (bus and DLR) combined will release the potential for up to 30,000 new homes to be built in Thamesmead, so is "highly likely" to be approved for funding which is why TfL is pushing on with its feasability study.

www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/planning/implementing-london-plan/londons-opportunity-areas/oa-locations/thamesmead-and-abbey-wood-opportunity-area#thamesmead-and-abbey-wood-oapf-title

[Buses678]

Apr 19, 2023 8:26:26 GMT wirewiper said:

The wider transport package also includes a "bus transit" from Woolwich to Abbey Wood via Thamesmead. Ideally this would run mostly on segregated lanes as a "tram on rubber tyres", rather like the once-proposed Greenwich Waterfront Transit that was cancelled in 2008, but smaller in scope. This could be introduced well ahead of the DLR extension which, if approved, is not likely to come on stream until the early 2030s.

The two schemes (bus and DLR) combined will release the potential for up to 30,000 new homes to be built in Thamesmead, so is "highly likely" to be approved for funding which is why TfL is pushing on with its feasability study.

www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/planning/implementing-london-plan/londons-opportunity-areas/oa-locations/thamesmead-and-abbey-wood-opportunity-area#thamesmead-and-abbey-wood-oapf-title

We could see the Route 472 will be rerouted between Thamesmead and Woolwich.

[twobellstogo]

Aug 20, 2023 20:47:55 GMT Buses678 said:

Apr 19, 2023 8:26:26 GMT wirewiper said:

The wider transport package also includes a "bus transit" from Woolwich to Abbey Wood via Thamesmead. Ideally this would run mostly on segregated lanes as a "tram on rubber tyres", rather like the once-proposed Greenwich Waterfront Transit that was cancelled in 2008, but smaller in scope. This could be introduced well ahead of the DLR extension which, if approved, is not likely to come on stream until the early 2030s.

The two schemes (bus and DLR) combined will release the potential for up to 30,000 new homes to be built in Thamesmead, so is "highly likely" to be approved for funding which is why TfL is pushing on with its feasability study.

www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/planning/implementing-london-plan/londons-opportunity-areas/oa-locations/thamesmead-and-abbey-wood-opportunity-area#thamesmead-and-abbey-wood-oapf-title

We could see the Route 472 will be rerouted between Thamesmead and Woolwich.

I suspect the 472 would be replaced by the Waterfront Transit (ie it wouldn’t be called 472).
I equally suspect one or more of the existing Thamesmead routes would be cut back as a result of Waterfront Transit. In particular I wouldn’t expect the 244 to continue south of Thamesmead to Abbey Wood.

[Buses678]

Aug 22, 2023 12:07:17 GMT twobellstogo said:

Aug 20, 2023 20:47:55 GMT Buses678 said:

We could see the Route 472 will be rerouted between Thamesmead and Woolwich.

I suspect the 472 would be replaced by the Waterfront Transit (ie it wouldn’t be called 472).
I equally suspect one or more of the existing Thamesmead routes would be cut back as a result of Waterfront Transit. In particular I wouldn’t expect the 244 to continue south of Thamesmead to Abbey Wood.

my idea is renumber route 472 to GW1, what are your ideas?

[twobellstogo]

Aug 22, 2023 12:56:10 GMT Buses678 said:

Aug 22, 2023 12:07:17 GMT twobellstogo said:

I suspect the 472 would be replaced by the Waterfront Transit (ie it wouldn’t be called 472).
I equally suspect one or more of the existing Thamesmead routes would be cut back as a result of Waterfront Transit. In particular I wouldn’t expect the 244 to continue south of Thamesmead to Abbey Wood.

my idea is renumber route 472 to GW1, what are your ideas?

I’ve given my views above : and to be honest I don’t really care what the Greenwich Waterfront Transit is numbered - sorry! I’m not even totally convinced that any of this will ever happen.

[busman]

Aug 22, 2023 12:07:17 GMT twobellstogo said:

Aug 20, 2023 20:47:55 GMT Buses678 said:

We could see the Route 472 will be rerouted between Thamesmead and Woolwich.

I suspect the 472 would be replaced by the Waterfront Transit (ie it wouldn’t be called 472).
I equally suspect one or more of the existing Thamesmead routes would be cut back as a result of Waterfront Transit. In particular I wouldn’t expect the 244 to continue south of Thamesmead to Abbey Wood.

For years (2 decades now?) people have talked about a waterfront transit with fancy vehicles. I wish they would stop. The 301 and 472 already provide speedy links between Thamesmead and Woolwich. I don’t want to see money wasted on infrastructure for glorified buses when the current buses do the job just fine. There has also been extensive (dare I say excessive) amounts of new 24/7 bus lanes introduced along the Woolwich-Charlton corridor. However the council has insisted on implementing silly blanket 20mph speed limits on roads.

Lifting the speed limit to 30mph would certainly speed up journeys along the “Waterfront” corridor. Adding an express service could also help speed up journey times. The best thing that could happen to Thamesmead bus services would be to include a crossing for buses alongside the proposed DLR tunnel. That would truly unlock the area and create far more opportunities for residents than replacing Enviros with some fancy looking vehicle with flywheels.

[Buses678]

Aug 22, 2023 16:05:14 GMT busman said:

Aug 22, 2023 12:07:17 GMT twobellstogo said:

I suspect the 472 would be replaced by the Waterfront Transit (ie it wouldn’t be called 472).
I equally suspect one or more of the existing Thamesmead routes would be cut back as a result of Waterfront Transit. In particular I wouldn’t expect the 244 to continue south of Thamesmead to Abbey Wood.

For years (2 decades now?) people have talked about a waterfront transit with fancy vehicles. I wish they would stop. The 301 and 472 already provide speedy links between Thamesmead and Woolwich. I don’t want to see money wasted on infrastructure for glorified buses when the current buses do the job just fine. There has also been extensive (dare I say excessive) amounts of new 24/7 bus lanes introduced along the Woolwich-Charlton corridor. However the council has insisted on implementing silly blanket 20mph speed limits on roads.

Lifting the speed limit to 30mph would certainly speed up journeys along the “Waterfront” corridor. Adding an express service could also help speed up journey times. The best thing that could happen to Thamesmead bus services would be to include a crossing for buses alongside the proposed DLR tunnel. That would truly unlock the area and create far more opportunities for residents than replacing Enviros with some fancy looking vehicle with flywheels.

I like the idea of that especially of likeliness of reinstating the Gallions Reach Bridge, but I think thats gonna have to be for the Council to decide, as it does look like they're leaning more onto the bus infrastruture im afraid. They been begging on their knees to TFL to make the BRT for Thamesmead for decades and arent gonna stop any time soon.

[britishguy54]

Apr 18, 2023 15:59:10 GMT vjaska said:

Apr 18, 2023 15:54:22 GMT ThinLizzy said:

www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/tfl-pushing-on-with-dlr-extension-to-thamesmead-62033/

Interesting the map says "potential further extension" beyond Thamesmead. Not sure where it would go from there

The 2nd last paragraph says "Although not part of this feasibility study, the Thamesmead and Abbey Wood Opportunity Area Planning Framework (OAPF) leaves open the possibility of extending the DLR further through Thamesmead towards Belvedere, and also on the north side of the river up towards Barking"

Probably the best bet for the old Dagenham Dock DLR extension proposal to make a comeback. It does work for bypassing the Beckton Sewage Works, a reason why that plan didn’t happen. Plus interchanging with the OG at Barking Riverside.

[wirewiper]

The Chancellor's Autumn Statement (22nd November 2023) has offered £23 million of funding towards a rapid bus transit between Woolwich and Thamesmead, subject to Business Case Approval.

Whilst TfL welcomes the announcement of funding for the bus transit, it notes that this was only seen as an intermediate measure to kick-start housing development, in advance of the DLR extension to Thamesmead being constructed. There has been no mention in the Statement of funding for the DLR extension, or for other projects which could be affected by TfL's projected £500 million in investment funding that it had hoped would be covered. This could put TfL's investment strategy for 2024/2025 and beyond at risk.

www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/government-offers-23-million-for-rapid-bus-link-connecting-woolwich-to-thamesmead-67592/

[busman]

Nov 22, 2023 16:23:29 GMT wirewiper said:

The Chancellor's Autumn Statement (22nd November 2023) has offered £23 million of funding towards a rapid bus transit between Woolwich and Thamesmead, subject to Business Case Approval.

Whilst TfL welcomes the announcement of funding for the bus transit, it notes that this was only seen as an intermediate measure to kick-start housing development, in advance of the DLR extension to Thamesmead being constructed. There has been no mention in the Statement of funding for the DLR extension, or for other projects which could be affected by TfL's projected £500 million in investment funding that it had hoped would be covered. This could put TfL's investment strategy for 2024/2025 and beyond at risk.

www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/government-offers-23-million-for-rapid-bus-link-connecting-woolwich-to-thamesmead-67592/

This is a waste. Just extend the SL3 to Woolwich non-stop from Thamesmead. There are bus lanes in place along most of the route. Job done. Take the remaining £22.5 million and buy an extra boat for the Woolwich Ferry.

[ADH45258]

Nov 22, 2023 16:57:23 GMT busman said:

Nov 22, 2023 16:23:29 GMT wirewiper said:

The Chancellor's Autumn Statement (22nd November 2023) has offered £23 million of funding towards a rapid bus transit between Woolwich and Thamesmead, subject to Business Case Approval.

Whilst TfL welcomes the announcement of funding for the bus transit, it notes that this was only seen as an intermediate measure to kick-start housing development, in advance of the DLR extension to Thamesmead being constructed. There has been no mention in the Statement of funding for the DLR extension, or for other projects which could be affected by TfL's projected £500 million in investment funding that it had hoped would be covered. This could put TfL's investment strategy for 2024/2025 and beyond at risk.

www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/government-offers-23-million-for-rapid-bus-link-connecting-woolwich-to-thamesmead-67592/

This is a waste. Just extend the SL3 to Woolwich non-stop from Thamesmead. There are bus lanes in place along most of the route. Job done. Take the remaining £22.5 million and buy an extra boat for the Woolwich Ferry.

Or just use the existing network here - the 472 already has very few stops between Plumstead and Thamesmead. I'm not sure a superloop-style service would be much quicker?

Regarding the ferry, would perhaps be better to instead introduce an alternative ferry somewhere further to the east? The issue with the existing/planned road crossings in this area is that they all parallel rail crossings - which are suitable alternatives for many journeys. The Silvertown/Blackwall tunnels and the Woolwich Ferry are all close by to the Jubilee line, Elizabeth Line and DLR tunnels. A ferry linking Barking Riverside to Thamesmead would be ideal.