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DLR history timeline
1980
The first of London's enclosed docks opened on the Isle of Dogs in 1802.
The docks formed the centre of employment and industry in the area.
In the 1960's the Docklands went into decline.
By the 1980's the Docklands were no longer in use and severely neglected.
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1982
British Government makes the Isle of Dogs an Enterprise Zone.
Aim of enterprise zone is regeneration of the area.
The land was made rate free for 10 years to encourage new development.
A government agency was developed, The London Docklands Development Corporation, to co- ordinate the development of the Docklands.
The need for a new transport system to access the areas with new development became clear.
This was the beginning of the Docklands Light Railway.
Bill for DLR route between Isle of Dogs and the City submitted.
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1983
Bill for route between Isle of Dogs and Stratford submitted.
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1984
First DLR Bill approved.
Work starts on construction.
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1985
DLR Stratford route approved.
Bank Extension Bill submitted.
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1986
DLR Bank Extension approved.
November - Parliamentary Bill for Beckton Extension submitted.
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1987
The Queen opens the initial railway.
Upgrading begins to cope with Canary Wharf development.
Increase from 1 to 2 rail cars service.
Work started on Bank Extension.
London City Airport opened for business.
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1988
May - Foundation work commenced at Canary Wharf.
Tunnelling starts on 1.6km extension to Bank.
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1989
Lewisham Extension proposed.
Royal Assent for 8 km Beckton Extension to Royal Docks area.
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1990
January - Construction of Beckton extension starts.
Lewisham Extension Bill submitted.
New SELTRAC train control system ordered for the whole railway.
New fleet of trains ordered.
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1991
Bank Extension opens.
Canary Wharf station opens.
DLR takes delivery of 70 new rail cars.
Original fleet of 11 sold to Essen in Germany.
Click here to view map of previous extensions (157kb).
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1992
DLR's ownership transferred to LDDC and new management team appointed.
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1993
October - Canary Wharf working population 7,000.
North Quay re- modelling completed.
Lewisham Extension Bill approved.
Lewisham Extension Private Finance Initiative (PFI) announced.
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1994
May - Canary Wharf working population 8,000 +
October - Canary Wharf working population 10,200
December - Canary Wharf working population 12,800 +
Beckton Extension opens with a shuttle service between Poplar and Beckton.
Launch of DLR's first customer charter.
Click here to view map of previous extensions (157kb).
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1995
Full conversion to Alcatel's SELTRAC moving- block train control system.
Tower Gateway to Beckton services introduced.
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1996
January - Canary Wharf working population 13,400.
October - Canary Wharf working population 14,000.
Pudding Mill Lane station opened.
Bank four- minute service introduced.
Award of Lewisham Extension concession.
Construction starts on the 4.2 km £200 million Lewisham extension - the UK's first railway PFI.
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1997
January - Canary Wharf working population 15,126.
December - Canary Wharf working population 21,000 +
Franchise let.
Docklands Railway Management Limited (DRML) takes over operation of DLR as the Franchisee.
Docklands Light Railway assumes new role as owner of the assets.
Fleet of 10 P89 stock vehicles sold to Essen in Germany.
DLR is ten years old.
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1998
September - Canary Wharf working population 23,000.
DLR starts operating from Canning Town Station.
Bank three- minute service introduced.
Horizon Study completed on future extensions and enhancements.
Government approval in principle for extension to London City Airport.
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1999
February - Canary Wharf working population 25,000.
October - London City Airport Extension TWA Application Submitted.
Introduction of second generation of Alcatel's SELTRAC train control system.
Public consultation on preferred route to London City Airport.
Lewisham Extension opens ahead of schedule.
Serco buys out the shares of the former DLRL executive directors in DRML.
Click here to view map of previous extensions (157kb).
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2000
January - Canary Wharf working population 27,000.
March - London City Airport Extension Public Inquiry.
September - Canary Wharf working population 30,600.
Franchisee becomes known as Serco Docklands Limited (SDL).
SDL wins the best UK Light Rail/Metro operator at the National Rail awards.
Transport for London (TfL) came into being, created by the Greater London Authority (GLA).
TfL responsible for planning and provision of Transport in London.
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2001
November - Canary Wharf working population 41,000.
Public consultation on extending the DLR to Woolwich Arsenal.
Transport for London set up a separate Rail Services Division that DLR reports to.
National Rail awards won by Serco Docklands Ltd.
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2002
January - Canary Wharf working population 42,000.
March - London City Airport Extension powers approved.
April - SDL awarded a 2 year extension to their franchise until end March 2006.
July - Woolwich Arsenal Extension TWA application submitted.
August - London City Airport Extension signed contract for works.
December - Canary Wharf working population 55,000.
DLR buys 24 new rail cars in preparation for the opening of the London City Airport Extension and to allow for enhanced service frequencies on the existing route.
The redeveloped Heron Quays Station opens.
Read more information about Heron Quay railway enhancements.
National Rail awards won by Serco Docklands Ltd.
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2003
January - Woolwich Arsenal Extension public inquiry.
March - Construction of London City Airport Extension begins.
National Rail awards won by Serco Docklands Ltd.
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2004
February - Powers approved Woolwich Arsenal.
June - Stratford station planning application submitted.
September - Stratford Station planning approval.
June - Approval of the submission under the TWA for the extension of the DLR to Woolwich Arsenal.
Programme to refurbish DLR's 94 rail cars underway.
Enhancement of Tower Gateway Station completed.
DLR applies for powers to increase capacity of Bank Lewisham route.
Beckton Extension is 10 years old.
Read more information about Tower Gateway railway enhancements.
DLR serving just over 50 million passengers a year, click here (22kb).
National Rail awards won by Serco Docklands Ltd.
Canary Wharf job growth, click here (22kb).
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2005
February - Capacity Enhancement Inquiry.
June - Woolwich Arsenal Extension contract signed for works and construction begins.
June - Stratford Station contract signed for works and construction begins in August.
Serco Docklands Ltd wins National rail award and 34 secure station awards.
Start of refranchising competition.
Second Horizon study (Horizon 2020) on future extensions and enhancements.
DLR begins preparation for the 2012 Games.
August - DLR applies for powers to extend to Stratford International.
November - Planning application submitted for Langdon Park.
December - DLR London City Airport extension opened.
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2006
February - Langdon Park planning and funding approvals received.
March - Stratford International Extension Public Inquiry.
April - Mayor launches tunnelling of DLR to Woolwich.
May - New franchise to operate and maintain the DLR awarded to Serco Docklands (Serco).
June - DLR wins 2006 Railway Industry Innovation Award
July - 31 new rail cars ordered for future DLR extensions and the 2012 Games.
August - DLR Shadwell station refurbishment programme begins
October - DLR London City Airport station scoops the Community Rail Award for best 'Local Transport Integration Project'
October - The Department for Transport gives planning approval for the 6km extension of the DLR to Stratford International
November - Construction work begins on a new DLR station at Langdon Park
December - DLR wins the London Planning Award for 'Best Public Sector Planning Organisation'
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2007
January - DLR launches the first phase of consultation for its proposed extension to Dagenham Dock
April - DLR carries 60 million passengers for the first time in its history
April - Serco Docklands, operator of the DLR, celebrates ten years of operating the railway
May - DLR and Serco Docklands win 'Transport Team of the Year' at the London Transport Awards
May - DLR awards a £200m contract to Taylor Woodrow to upgrade the railway so an extra carriage can be added to its trains
June - DLR opens the first of its two new platforms at Stratford station
July - DLR awards its main construction contract to build the Stratford International extension to a Skanska and GrantRail joint venture
July - DLR launches its second phase of consultation for its proposed extension to Dagenham Dock
July - DLR launches its first ever Public Arts Strategy
July - The tunnel extending the DLR under the River Thames to Woolwich Arsenal completed on time
August - DLR celebrates its 20th anniversary
October - Refurbishment works at West India Quay station completed
December - DLR Langdon Park station opens
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