§ 39. Mr. Neil ThorneTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures are being taken to improve transport in docklands.
§ Mr. PortilloLondon Regional Transport is planning to double the capacity of the Docklands light railway from Tower Gateway early next year by the introduction of two-unit trains, which will be followed by further new sets in 1991, raising the capacity of the Tower Gateway service from the present 1,750 passengers to 6,500 passengers per hour. Completion of the first tunnel to the Bank is now scheduled for late 1990, with the second one to follow in late 1991, and I have asked LRT to do everything it can to advance the opening dates for the new services through them. We have also enabled LRT to let the first contracts for the DLR extension to Beckton, and in the meantime the reliability of the existing railway is being improved by an urgent programme of remedial measures.
The British Railways Board has this month introduced improved services and rolling stock on its North London line service to North Woolwich, and has commenced work on a new station at Silvertown, which will give easier access to the London City airport. I hope to make an announcement shortly on the recommendation arising from the east London rail study as to an extension of the Jubilee line to Stratford.
Docklands minibus have introduced a fifth service, and an improved LRT bus network is in place to serve the docklands. The riverbus now provides a weekend service and runs through to Greenwich, and is installing monitors on piers so as to improve passenger information.
The London Docklands Development Corporation has a programme for the construction of a development road network through Limehouse, the Isle of Dogs and the royal docks. Work is well advanced and expected to be completed in 1993. As part of this, a £171 million contract has just been let for construction of the Limehouse link, a 1.8 km dual two-lane cut and cover tunnel from the highway to Westferry Circus and Poplar, which is due for completion by the autumn of 1993. Construction work should start on the Limehouse link by the end of this year. Work should also start on the proposed Lower Lea crossing by the spring of 1990. The Eastern Gateway access road was opened on 3 October. The opening of an extension to Aspen Way by the end of this year will provide a third major access to the Isle of Dogs from the A13, serving the island's eastern side.
The Department has a complementary programme to improve the A13 in Tower Hamlets and Newham by the mid-1990s. Three interim schemes for the Isle of Dogs are scheduled to start in 1990, two for completion in 1991 and one for 1992.
Final schemes at these locations and Cotton street are scheduled to start in 1993. At that time work should begin on the widening of the Ironbridge, including a connection of LDDC's proposed East India Dock link.
An exhibition of our proposals to replace the Beckton flyover and improve the A13–A117 junction during 89W 1992–93 was held at Brampton Road Manor school, East Ham on 27–28 October. Improvements to the A 13 junction with the A112 are scheduled for 1994–95
We have announced reopening of the inquiry into the design of the east London river crossing bridge. The reopened inquiry will clearly have to take account of the inter-relationship with the proposed future development of the London City airport, on which a planning application has now been made.
We have rationalised waiting and loading restrictions on the A13 trunk road in Tower Hamlets, and have let a contract for provision of a new east London traffic control system. We have invited tenders for the renovation of the northbound Blackwall tunnel. LDDC has in hand a study on the extension of the controlled parking zone to the Isle of Dogs. The Department and the other highway authorities have reached an understanding with the statutory undertakers on the conduct of highway works in Docklands.