Silvertown residents responded with mixed feelings after TFL announced last Tuesday that funding had been secured for a major upgrade of the Pontoon Dock DLR station.
The upgrade, worth £43.9m, is aimed at improving capacity, service and accessibility at the station to meet the needs of growing customer numbers, with construction due to commence in 2026.
The reactions of residents to the news were mixed, however, as the desire for better service conflicted with begrudging feelings about further construction in the area and the application of funds, given the wider Silvertown Quays redevelopment scheme and frustration around lift repair failures.
Royal Wharf resident Mary-Charlotte Williams Hicks, 28, said: “It’s great news that the station is being upgraded.
“However, I think that with the ongoing work over the past years it is going to be a bit of a hinderance.”
The upgrade will be a source of relief for elderly residents who are consistently forced to battle with the stairs due to issues with the lifts, according to a 48-year-old Silvertown resident Vineeta Soni-Bhatla.
Vineeta said: “My 80-year-old mum was visiting for a few weeks, and she had a hard time climbing the stairs.
“I have many friends in the locality and have seen their elderly parents struggling on the stairs to get to the train platform.”
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, as well as accessibility issues.
According to Vineeta, a lift that broke down in July 2024 was issued a notice for repair by March 2025, but ultimately did not end up being repaired until late June, which has contributed to the discontent of residents.
She said: “Does it really take so long for a lift to be fixed?
“This is the condition in London, a tourist hub and world class city.”
It is hoped that the upgrade project, which will include the installation of six new escalators and a larger mezzanine level, will reduce queuing, pressure on the lifts, and improve step-free access for those who need it.
Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor for Transport said: “This major upgrade is great news for the Pontoon Dock area and London as a whole.
“It means we can futureproof this station, support thousands more journeys and improve accessibility”
Alongside the station upgrade, TFL is also planning a new train programme, which will see the introduction of 54 new DLR trains to improve frequency and reliability, particularly in parts of the Royal Docks and the Isle of Dogs.
Resident Vineeta said: “The frequency of the train to Stratford can be increased every 3-4 minutes as in the mornings the tube is crammed with passengers and often there is no place to even stand.”
The station upgrade also includes the development of the surrounding area, including improved public space, landscaping and the potential for new retail space, as part of the wider Silvertown Quays development.
This wider development 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 both station capacity and the regeneration of the local area, helping unlock around 6,500 new homes and 10,000 jobs.
However, it is this context of broader construction that is most frustrating for some current residents.
Mary-Charlotte believes that the area does not need more retail locations, as she insists there are already enough local shops and restaurants.
She said: “I don’t feel it a necessity and I do think there are so many other things that could be funded that would be much more effective.”
Mary-Charlotte also found herself frustrated by the announcement as the years of ongoing development in the area has consistently caused disruption to her routine, at times adding up to 15 minutes to her journey when she was unable to access her property from her own road.
She said: “There is constant noise and disruption of certain routes and roads.”
Alex Williams, Chief Customer and Strategy Officer at TfL, said: “Our vision is a London where everyone can move around the city safely, comfortably and sustainably.
“The transformation at Pontoon Dock will make life easier and more comfortable for customers, through reduced congestion and enhanced accessibility.
“It will also play a central role in supporting important regeneration in the local area, helping to unlock around 6,500 new homes and 10,000 new jobs at Silvertown Quays.”
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.
Construction work is expected to be completed by the end of 2028, but 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.
Photos courtesty of Zoe Wood on Unsplash and TFL
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