[6] As a result of these developments, Thamesmead remains not directly served by railway services of any kind, with the closest stations being Plumstead, Abbey Wood and Belvedere.
[7] Limited passive provision is present in the Docklands Light Railway extension to Woolwich Arsenal for a junction to Thamesmead as of 2005,[8] however following the cancellation of the Docklands Light Railway extension to Dagenham Dock and the Thames Gateway Bridge in 2008, TfL considered other ways to assist with the development of the Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead areas throughout the 2010s.
[9][10] Options proposed included: Following the approval of the Silvertown Tunnel in 2018,[18] local campaigners pushed for public transport improvements in the area.
Three options would be considered in the next stage: The business case noted that a DLR extension to Thamesmead could cost between £700 million to £1.2 billion, and could be completed in the 2030s.
[32][34] In February 2024, TfL began public consultation on the project, proposing an extension of the DLR to Thamesmead via Beckton Riverside, as outlined in the business case.
[38] In May 2024, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan stated the extension would be built in such a way as to enable future continuation of the route towards Belvedere.