Construction work begins on Docklands Light Railway » Communities » 24dash.com

Construction work has started on a new Docklands Light Railway (DLR) station at Langdon Park, which will provide much-needed access to public transport for thousands of Tower Hamlets residents and local businesses.

Situated between All Saints and Devons Road stations on the DLR route to Stratford, the £7.5m station has been jointly funded by the Government's Community Infrastructure Fund and Leaside Regeneration, in recognition of the huge benefits it will bring to the local area and communities.

Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, said: "A brand new Docklands Light Railway station at Langdon Park will play a key role in the regeneration of this area, opening up access to jobs and housing.

"It comes after the extension of the DLR to City Airport and will be followed by extensions to Woolwich Arsenal and Stratford International. "

Transport Minister Gillian Merron said: "I am delighted that work has started on this new station which will make the DLR more accessible to local people and encourage sustainable travel to and from Langdon Park.

"This is a great example of how Community Infrastructure funding can be put towards regenerating an area. I look forward to hearing about its progress to completion next year."

Langdon Park station will plug one of the longest gaps on the DLR network, bringing it closer to thousands of homes and vastly improving access to jobs, education, leisure facilities and health services.

The station is likely to act as a catalyst for regeneration in the local area by encouraging new commercial and housing developments.

It will also serve existing demand from the nearby Teviot and Lansbury housing estates and Langdon Park Secondary School.

Local resident Chrissie Townsend said: "The new station will make a tremendous difference to people living on the surrounding estates who have been asking for a station for many years.

"It will also help bring along the new homes and businesses that we need so much in this area."

Passengers joining the DLR at Langdon Park will be able to make quick and easy journeys to a wide range of destinations, including Canary Wharf in just five minutes and Stratford in nine minutes.

Ian Brown, Managing Director of Transport for London, London Rail and Chairman of DLR, said: "I am delighted that the construction of Langdon Park station is now underway and on track for completion in just over a year's time.

"The new DLR station will be invaluable to the people of Tower Hamlets, opening up opportunities to access new jobs and services that will deliver benefits for years to come.

"The project is an excellent example of what can be achieved by effective partnerships between local businesses, boroughs and government departments - of which we should all be proud."

The contract to build the station was awarded last month to contractor Costain and it is due for completion in late 2007.

The design will follow the high architectural standards of other DLR stations including CCTV, passenger information screens and step-free access to platforms.

A model of the new Langdon Park station is currently on display at 'London's Moving', a major new exhibition showcasing the future of transport in the Capital.

The free event is taking place at New London Architecture, The Building Centre, 26 Store Street, WC1, until 13 January 2007.