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December 2005

Mayor opens Docklands Light Railway London City Airport extension

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone and Minister for Transport Karen Buck has opened the Docklands Light Railway extension at the new London City Airport station. The London City Airport extension runs from Canning Town to King George V station at North Woolwich via London City Airport, and will play an important part in London's transport plans for the 2012 Olympic Games.

The line has four new stations which now connect local and airport passengers direct into the Tube system at Canning Town.

Halcrow, working on behalf of AMEC, part of City Airport Rail Enterprises plc, was responsible for the engineering design of the new infrastructure, stations and railway systems.

Mayor Ken Livingstone, said: "The Docklands Light Railway City Airport extension is a vital new transport link which has been delivered on time and on budget.
"We are now starting to see the benefits of Transport for London's £10 billion 5-year Investment Programme.

The 8,000 residents living on the route will have three new stations at West Silvertown, Pontoon Dock and King George V, providing better access to jobs and leisure facilities as well as generating more custom for local businesses.
Passengers flying in and out of London City Airport will also enjoy faster, easier and cheaper journeys into Canary Wharf, the City and central London.

Jonathan Fox, Director, Docklands Light Railway, said: "This extension is tremendously significant for the Southern Royal Docks area.
"It provides London City Airport with a dedicated rail link into the heart of the City, and will be instrumental in the ongoing regeneration of the local community and the preparations and support for the London 2012 Olympic Games".

The next stage of the Docklands Light Railway expansion, for which Halcrow is also carrying out the detailed design, is the 2.5km extension from King George V under the Thames to Woolwich Arsenal, which will provide businesses and local communities with another major boost when it opens in early 2009.

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