DLR Extension to Thamesmead update

Probably 50/50 split to Beckton & Thamesmead. The line at Gallions Reach is facing north, so I suppose will take route into Beckton depot with Riverside station before crossing by bridge? tunnel according to Ian Visits.

The most likely service pattern is Tower Gateway to Beckton and Canning Town or Stratford International to Thamesmead (or vice versa)

I wonder why the DLR is heading for 36tph maximum capacity. This seems to be the current target for the tube lines, other than Bakerloo where the demand does not exist. I would have thought that the DLR could aim higher, with its shorter trains at gap-free straight platforms. A metro option for Crossrail 2 suggested that similar trains could achieve 40tph, if I recall correctly, perhaps even higher.

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London Overground doesn't go anywhere near Beckton, you might be confusing it with Barking Riverside?

This project seems to be only considering the option of DLR to Thamesmead and improved bus links from Thamesmead to Abbey Wood and other existing stations on the North Kent line, I'd guess because of cost. Passive provision for an extension is probably the best we can hope for.

The DLR won't go to Barking Riverside - it crosses under the river after Beckton Riverside. They're still leaving open the possibility of an Overground extension to Thamesmead, however it looks like it isn't being considered at the moment because it would cost more and offer less trains per hour.

As for DLR extensions, ianvisits said there's a possibility of an extension through Thamesmead towards Belvedere. I think the Elizabeth Line interchange should be handled by the bus transit, which goes to both Woolwich and Abbey Wood.

Council dreams not official proposals.

Perhaps I should have said workable proposals. Physical barriers and the fact that the design of the trains did not include dual voltage.

TfL have started a consultation on the DLR extension to Thamesmead. The proposed extension splits off from the Beckton branch after Gallions Reach, stops at a new station in Beckton Riverside, crosses the Thames in a tunnel, and terminates at a new station in Thamesmead.

TfL said they considered and ruled out (for now) enhanced bus services, a new tram service, extending the Overground from Barking Riverside, and extending the DLR beyond Thamesmead. However, there is planned passive provision to extend the line beyond Thamesmead, possibly to Belvedere or Bexley.

There is confirmation of a bus transit scheme, running from Woolwich to Abbey Wood via Thamesmead using bus priority lanes, that will be consulted upon later and could arrive before the DLR extension during the early stages of development. There is also mention of removing safeguarding for the Thames Gateway Bridge, which TfL currently has no plans to deliver, if the extension goes ahead.

All the information above and more (including maps of the proposed route - one day I'm going to learn how to post images on this forum) can be found at the consultation page here: haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/dlr-extension

Development of the Barking Riverside extension project claimed to provide for a possible future extension across the river, I thought on a bridge. That may have been lost as an economy measure in the later stages of the project.

The notes on alternatives considered state that an extension of heavy rail from Barking Riverside to Thamesmead, at higher cost than the DLR extension, could only offer 4tph compared with up to 15tph on the DLR, would not serve Beckton Riverside, and would not connect to major employment centres.

I think the maps produced include Barking Riverside to show all the available transport in the area. And the other map shows routes that were considered but ultimately rejected, including extensions beyond Barking Riverside. Here's what they've said about it in the consultation:
It looks like in addition to having to redo Barking Riverside station, they're also concerned about the frequency and making sure Beckton Riverside is served as well.

Even thinking of rebuilding Barking Riverside station is absurd - the station is what, two years old? Surely it should have been built 'future proof', by which I mean with an extension over the Thames in mind.

Maybe it will be better to just extend the Hammersmith & City and leave the Overground station 'as-is'? (Also instead of extending the DLR, which also has lower capacity as well as less potential for a truly rapid-transit' fast service).

This would also make a more frequent service easier to arrange!