Night train services are a godsend at the weekend. Those who live on the Night Tube route will always sing its praises as an easy way home each weekend without having to rely on the lengthier bus back or an expensive cab ride. So it’s always a plus for the city’s nightlife when new plans are discussed for further expansion of the nighttime rail network.
One line that has had its name put forward for overnight services is the Docklands Light Railway (DLR). Lewisham council has put in a request for the service to run a night service to increase the options for those hoping to travel home safely in the south of the city.
A meeting was held on the potential Bakerloo line extension, and Lewisham council showed support for this scheme, but also put the idea forward for the nighttime service of the DLR. This would aim to improve other services while waiting for the extension to finish, since the projected timeline is a lengthy one, and may not arrive until around 2040.
Speaking on the matter in a written response, the council said “this could be achieved within the confines of the existing DLR network – possibly without the need for signalling improvements”.
There was a suggestion of a nighttime DLR service in 2018 between Lewisham/Woolwich Arsenal and Bank, but this was dismissed due to the cost being deemed not to justify the benefit of the service. Given this was now seven years ago, things may have changed, though it is unclear when an answer to the request from Lewisham council would arrive.
Meanwhile, passengers on the DLR will still be waiting for the swanky new trains to come into service. These were due on the tracks in 2024 but were subsequently delayed indefinitely. There is also a consultation running on a DLR extension to Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead.
There is no timeline for an answer to the night service suggestion for the DLR, but you can keep up to date on our website.
