TfL joins Future Cities Forum for its 'Infrastructure 2025' discussion event

Above: artist's impression of Pontoon Dock DLR Station - courtesy TfL

Future Cities Forum is delighted that Transport for London directors Scott Haxton and Matthew Yates will be speaking at its 'Infrastructure 2025' event this September. The discussions will be held in the London offices of Grimshaw.

Scott Haxton, is Director of Capital Delivery Infrastructure at Transport for London, while Matthew Yates is Head of Network Extensions and Rail and Station Enhancements.

One of the latest projects to be announced by TfL is the upgrading of Pontoon Dock DLR station, which will undergo a major upgrade, improving capacity and accessibility, to meet the needs of growing customer numbers. The project, which has now secured funding, will include the installation of six new escalators, a larger mezzanine level, and improvements to the surrounding area, including improved public space, landscaping and the potential for new retail space.

TfL says:

'The new escalators and larger mezzanine level will reduce queuing, pressure on the lifts, and improve step-free access for those who need it. Pontoon Dock station is elevated approximately 13 metres above street level, which is one of the highest stations on the DLR network, with access currently limited to stairs and lifts. This means at peak times, around half of the customers rely on the lifts, which often leads to congestion and longer journey times.

'The development of the station and its surrounding area is part of the wider Silvertown Quays development, which aims to create a vibrant urban neighbourhood with a variety of housing, including affordable housing, and over 100,000 sqm of new employment space. It is anticipated that the redevelopment of the area will mean an additional 4,500 customers will use the station during peak times, an increase of 415 per cent, so these improvements play a vital role in supporting this and the regeneration of the local area, helping unlock around 6,500 new homes and 10,000 jobs.

'The upgrade of Pontoon Dock station is 75 per cent third-party funded, with contributions from Homes England (the government's housing and regeneration agency) and the Greater London Authority (GLA), developer contributions from Lendlease and funding from TfL's Sustainable Housing and Accessibility Fund. The investment will support sustainable development in one of London's growing communities. The detailed design and build contract for the upgrade has been awarded to Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, a leading UK construction and infrastructure company.

'Construction work is scheduled to begin in summer 2026 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2028. The station is expected to remain open throughout the majority of works, ensuring customers can continue to travel as normal while improvements are made. The DLR network has seen significant growth in recent years, with demand expected to rise further as development continues across east London. 

'The DLR operates across six Opportunity Areas in London, which have the potential to provide more than 124,000 homes and 200,000 jobs. There are around 45,000 of these homes either already under construction or with planning permission within walking distance of the DLR.  The new train programme, which will see the introduction of 54 new DLR trains to improve frequency and reliability, will deliver additional capacity that is essential to support further sustainable growth beyond that already permitted, particularly in parts of the Royal Docks and the Isle of Dogs where the DLR is such a vital transport option. 

Back in February this year, Tfl joined Future Cities Forum discussions at DLA Piper in the City of London to talk about the important of delivering infrastructure projects on time. David Rowe, Interim Director of Investment Delivery, ommented on the recently delivered Silvertown project:

'Silvertown Tunnel opens 7th April but it has not been quick. We started in 2008 with a series of public consultations right through to 2015. TfL then decided to use the Development Consent Order process to secure planning. We followed that route partly as we needed the infrastructure consent but also the operational powers on charging users. The other attraction for us was that a DCO meant a fixed time table. But there were two delays in fact. We had to go back out to public consultation after re-assessments and then await the Secretary of State's decision. The process of development was very helpful in terms of getting the scheme right, but it wasn't helpful in providing confidence on timing and the model of delivery in conversations with our industry partners. We chose the PFI route. Once we had got to the point of signing the PFI agreement, despite Brexit , Covid and other headwinds it has largely stuck to the programme agreed upfront but there were uncertainties around the consent stage.'

David was asked if we are close to realising our ambitions around healthy streets and better air quality? He responded:

'I am very confident about our Healthy Streets Programme. The Silvertown Tunnel is the right solution but it is only part of the transport solutions in East London. There have been a series of improvements there, including the Elizabeth Line, the DLR upgrades and improvements to the Jubilee Line. Silvertown addresses the problems at Blackwall. The user charge means that we won't increase traffic. When we have surveyed local businesses over the last 20 years the number one issue cited has been lack of confidence in the Blackwall Tunnel (previously the only river tunnel crossing in the area), and that means they have not been confident of deliveries on time or staff arriving on time. The new crossing allows new bus services - currently there is only one single decker unreliable service through the Blackwall Tunnel. The new tunnel is transformational for both public transport and sustainable development.'