Work has begun on a long-planned upgrade at Pontoon Dock DLR station in east London, where six new escalators will offer passengers an alternative to the station’s heavily used lifts.
The two-and-a-half-year programme, being delivered by Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, will create two escalators between street level and an enlarged mezzanine, with four more connecting the mezzanine to the platforms. The existing stairs and lifts will stay in place.
A station built for a smaller neighbourhood
Pontoon Dock opened in 2005, when the Royal Docks area had far fewer residents. With continued housing growth expected nearby, Transport for London has forecast that passenger numbers could rise by around a third by 2041.
The project will also add a glazed circulation area, retail units, operational rooms, landscaping and an improved public square beneath the railway. Funding is 75% from outside TfL, including contributions from Homes England, the Greater London Authority and developer Lendlease, alongside TfL’s Sustainable Housing and Accessibility Fund.
Earlier plans suggested the enlarged station could open in October 2028. The latest delivery timetable points instead to around spring 2029, based on the start of enabling works.
Why it matters for Britain
The upgrade should make it easier for passengers who can use stairs or escalators to move through the station, helping preserve lift capacity for people who need step-free access. It also supports transport capacity in an area experiencing substantial housing growth.
