DLR station may be decommissioned to make space for Fenchurch Street expansion

The Docklands Light Rail (DLR) station at Tower Gateway, in the City of London, could be decommissioned to make space for an expansion of Fenchurch Street station, a Network Rail report has suggested.Network Rail’s Essex Thameside Study predicts that pedestrian capacity at Fenchurch Street is set to exceed Network Rail’s station capacity planning guidance around 2025.Modelling undertaken by WestonWilliamson + Partners on behalf on Network Rail shows that the only way to increase capacity sufficiently is to move Fenchurch Street station by 350m to the east, taking up the site of the existing Tower Gateway DLR station.Network Rail has undertaken feasibility studies of the six platform station proposal to understand the land requirements for the new station and track layout.The report concludes that “a six-platform terminus is able to be accommodated in this area, however an element of land acquisition would be required, including Tower Gateway DLR station and adjacent thirdparty buildings to the south of the existing rail corridor”.Due to the location of the station on the fringe of the City of London, Network Rail concludes that “it is feasible that the site could be of interest to commercial developers, which should be explored when developing the strategy for the corridor further”.The report also recommends upgrades at West Ham station and Barking. At West Ham, the report states that the station “would be unable to operate without infrastructure improvement” before 2050 and would be in breach of station capacity planning guidance by 2027 due to overcrowding. It recommends widening platforms and increasing station access.Meanwhile at Barking, the report recommends a gateline enhancement to prepare for a rise in passenger numbers.