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New Entrance Opens At Custom House DLR Station

Written by Amy
  • New entrance will improve access to nearby ExCeL London.
  • The station will provide a vital interchange between DLR and Elizabeth line services.

A new entrance to Custom House DLR station has opened to the public.

The new entrance, built as part of the Crossrail project, is located directly opposite the site of the former North London line station and will provide a vital interchange between the DLR and Elizabeth Line services which will start serving the station in December 2018.

The station improvements include a new footbridge, a 24 hour public route from Custom House to ExCeL London and the Royal Docks, and the interchange with the Elizabeth line.

Transport for London’s DLR Director, Claire Mann, said: “The new entrance will be a great asset to commuters, local residents and the thousands of regional and international visitors going to events at the nearby ExCeL London, the largest events venue in the Capital. The station will also provide an interchange with Elizabeth line services when they commence in December 2018.”

Large sections of the station were manufactured off site at Crossrail contractor Laing O’Rourke’s factory near Sheffield and then transported to east London where it was assembled on site. This ensured safer construction whilst helping to minimise disruption to local residents, local rail services and events at the ExCeL London.

Andrew Wolstenholme, Crossrail Chief Executive, said: “This is an early example of the Crossrail project delivering real benefits to passengers ahead of the opening of the Elizabeth line that will transform travel in and around the Capital. The construction and fit-out of the new station at Custom House is well underway and from December 2018, the new service will make it quicker and easier for local people to get to destinations across London as well as significantly improving links for the millions of people who visit the ExCeL London every year.”

Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales, who officially opened the station’s new entrance, said: “London is moving east, and we are working hard to ensure our residents benefit from the new opportunities, jobs and prosperity. We cannot stand still on this journey and we know that continued growth depends on continued investment in infrastructure to keep up with demand. That is why this development is so welcome – even better connectivity to the ExCeL London and a further milestone as we move towards opening an Elizabeth line station here in 2018. This connectivity is vital to the further growth of the Royal Docks.”

David Pegler, CEO, ExCeL London, said: “The opening of the Elizabeth line will be truly transformational for our clients and the millions of exhibitors, visitors and delegates who we welcome each year. The line will provide a direct service to Central London, reducing journey times and allowing visitors to access the whole of the city quickly and easily. It will provide an ‘events super highway’ linking the world’s busiest airport at Heathrow to ExCeL London in 43-minutes. In between, visitors will be able to access the very best of what London has to offer, with access to more hotels, Michelin starred restaurants and world renowned theatre and shopping, all within record time. We look forward to working with our clients to open up the benefits of the Elizabeth line in the build-up to 2018 and beyond.”

Stretching from Reading and Heathrow in the west across to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east, the Elizabeth line will change the way people travel around London and the South East and add much needed new capacity to London’s transport infrastructure. A fleet of brand new 200 metre long trains will run on the Elizabeth line, featuring nine walk-through carriages, air conditioning, CCTV and real-time travel information.

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Amy