Royal Albert DLR station
Encyclopedia
Royal Albert DLR station is a station on the Docklands Light Railway
(DLR) in the Docklands area of east London
. The station serves the western end of the north quay of the Royal Albert Dock
, from which it takes its name. A view of the London City Airport is available.
The station is located on an elevated section of the DLR's Beckton branch
, between Prince Regent
and Beckton Park
stations. It is in Travelcard Zone 3
.
The station was opened in 1994. There was previously a station called Connaught Road on the Eastern Counties and Thames Junction Railway
in the same area but this closed in 1940.
The station is further from the nearest houses than any other on the DLR, despite which it has a steady patronage from those living in the area of Beckton to the north. In fact the station signage is subtitled "For West Beckton". However, the access route from these houses to the station, crossing the busy Royal Albert Way on the level, is notably substandard, the only footbridge being some distance away.
Following the relocation of many London Borough of Newham council staff to the Building 1000 offices adjoining the station, usage has increased substantially during office hours.
During problems, Royal Albert acts as a terminus with a shuttle between Royal Albert and Beckton. This is possible because there is a crossover to the west of the station.
The station serves the London Regatta Centre
and Royal Docks Business Park which has Building 1000.
is used instead.
2010 should have also seen Royal Albert served by a second DLR service. The existing route between Beckton and Tower Gateway would have been supplemented by a second service between Beckton and Stratford International via Canning Town using the new DLR tracks from Canning Town to Stratford International. However this extension has been severely delayed and it is not now due to open until mid 2011.
Docklands Light Railway
The Docklands Light Railway is an automated light metro or light rail system opened on 31 August 1987 to serve the redeveloped Docklands area of London...
(DLR) in the Docklands area of east London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. The station serves the western end of the north quay of the Royal Albert Dock
Royal Albert Dock
The Royal Albert Dock is one of three docks in the Royal Group of Docks of east London, now part of the redeveloped Docklands.-History:The dock was constructed to the east of the earlier Victoria Dock by the St Katharine and London dock companies and opened in 1880...
, from which it takes its name. A view of the London City Airport is available.
The station is located on an elevated section of the DLR's Beckton branch
Beckton DLR station
Beckton DLR station is the eastern terminus of the Beckton branch of the Docklands Light Railway in the Docklands area of east London. It is located in Travelcard Zone 3. The DLR branch from Poplar was opened on 28 March 1994...
, between Prince Regent
Prince Regent DLR station
Prince Regent DLR station is a station on the Docklands Light Railway in the Docklands area of east London. The station was opened on 28 March 1994 and provides access to the eastern end of the ExCeL Exhibition Centre and ICC London...
and Beckton Park
Beckton Park DLR station
Beckton Park DLR station is a station on the Docklands Light Railway in the Docklands area of east London. The station is located by the north quay of the Royal Albert Dock . The station is opposite Beckton District South Park, which is open space leading to housing in South Beckton.The station is...
stations. It is in Travelcard Zone 3
Travelcard Zone 3
Fare zone 3 is a zone of Transport for London's zonal fare system used for calculating the price of tickets for travel on the London Underground, London Overground, Docklands Light Railway and, since 2007, on National Rail services...
.
The station was opened in 1994. There was previously a station called Connaught Road on the Eastern Counties and Thames Junction Railway
Eastern Counties and Thames Junction Railway
The Eastern Counties and Thames Junction Railway in east London connected the Royal Docks with the Eastern Counties Railway . Authorised in 1844, it opened in 1846, and was absorbed by the ECR in 1847...
in the same area but this closed in 1940.
The station is further from the nearest houses than any other on the DLR, despite which it has a steady patronage from those living in the area of Beckton to the north. In fact the station signage is subtitled "For West Beckton". However, the access route from these houses to the station, crossing the busy Royal Albert Way on the level, is notably substandard, the only footbridge being some distance away.
Following the relocation of many London Borough of Newham council staff to the Building 1000 offices adjoining the station, usage has increased substantially during office hours.
During problems, Royal Albert acts as a terminus with a shuttle between Royal Albert and Beckton. This is possible because there is a crossover to the west of the station.
The station serves the London Regatta Centre
London Regatta Centre
The London Regatta Centre, a state-of-the-art rowing centre, is located in the heart of the Docklands area in the East End of London. It is built at the west end on the north of the historic Royal Albert Dock directly opposite London City Airport...
and Royal Docks Business Park which has Building 1000.
DLR upgrades
It was originally planned that in 2010 work would start on extending the platforms at Royal Albert to handle three-car trains, which are being introduced across the DLR. The extension woulld have been at the east end of the station, bringing the platforms closer to Royal Docks Road, although no new access steps were planned. The platforms have not however been extended, and although metal catwalks have been installed, these are too narrow for non-emergency use and Selective Door OperationSelective Door Operation
Selective Door Operation, also called Selective Door Opening is a mechanism employed primarily on trains that allows the Driver or Conductor/Guard to open the doors of a train separately.- Purpose and operation of SDO :Selective Door Operation is a system used by trains for the safe...
is used instead.
2010 should have also seen Royal Albert served by a second DLR service. The existing route between Beckton and Tower Gateway would have been supplemented by a second service between Beckton and Stratford International via Canning Town using the new DLR tracks from Canning Town to Stratford International. However this extension has been severely delayed and it is not now due to open until mid 2011.