HC Deb 14 October 1991 vol 196 cc12-3
13. Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans there are for further extensions to the docklands light railway.

Mr. Freeman

The docklands light railway has recently been extended to Bank and a second platform should open early next year. An extension to Beckton is being built and one to Greenwich and Lewisham is the subject of a Bill before the House.

Mr. Spearing

Is the Minister aware that the recent approval of the east London river crossing is controversial in that it does not include an extension to the docklands light railway? Does he agree that a six-lane motorway from outer south London and Kent into the docklands including Canary wharf, will bring greatly increased traffic through Newham, with queues, accidents and conceivably death to the people of the borough? Would not it be sensible to extend the docklands light railway from Beckton across the bridge into Thamesmead and north Kent?

Mr. Freeman

I am not aware of any proposals to do so. The east London rail study, stage 2, is considering, as the hon. Gentleman knows, improved access to east London by extending the docklands light railway and possibly by extending the east London line across the Thames to Woolwich. I shall draw the attention of those who are involved in the study to the hon. Gentleman's suggestion.