It has been revealed that a bridge is to be built at Limehouse DLR station linking it directly with the westbound platform at the adjacent national rail station. The bridge will be funded by TfL and the Department for Transport and will cost £1.9 million.
The footbridge will offer step free access and significantly reduce passenger interchange time between the two forms of transport. This will greatly assist approximately 3,000 passengers who have to go down stairs from either station and then up stairs to the other station during the weekday morning peak.
Taylor Woodrow Construction have been appointed to construct the bridge which will become part of the work to enhance the infrastructure of the DLR to enable three car trains to operate. The bridge will be done at the same time as the platforms at Limehouse are tackled.
Tom Harris MP, Rail Minister, said: “The footbridge at Limehouse station will make it easier for passengers to move between the DLR and c2c platforms. Step-free interchange is of great benefit to disabled and older people, and those with heavy or awkward luggage. It will be part-funded through our £370m Access for All scheme, which finances redevelopment of stations across England, Scotland and Wales to improve accessibility for passengers."
Jonathan Fox, Director of DLR, added: “The footbridge will reduce journey times for hundreds of people each day by making it quicker and easier for passengers to change between c2c and DLR services without using stairs or lifts. DLR is determined to keep pace with ever-increasing demand and will continue to implement these type of initiatives, in conjunction with Government, to accommodate booming passenger numbers, which are currently at 65m per year, the highest ever level."
Source: Transport for London