Escalating its efficiency – but it will mean year-long closure for Cutty Stark station
Cutty Sark DLR station is due to get four new escalators to replace ones which are currently out of use.
The station will be closed from Saturday, May 31, and reopen when works complete next spring.
Visitors will be encouraged to use alternative routes, including Greenwich station, which is 11 minutes away by foot, local bus services and the Uber Boat by Thames Clipper.
Improved way-finding signage will help guide people more easily between Cutty Sark and Greenwich stations. Customers are advised to check before they travel.
Cllr Averil Lekau, deputy leader and cabinet member for transport, said: “We welcome the news of improvement works to Cutty Sark DLR station.
“Millions of people visit Greenwich town centre every year and the escalator replacement will ensure a fully-accessible station for all users.
“Closing the station is the only way that the works can be safely completed, and will ensure a reliable escalator service at the station for many years to come.
“In the meantime, there are many other ways to get to and from Greenwich including buses, mainline rail stations and riverboat services – and in the long term we’ll have a new station that we’re proud to welcome residents and visitors too.”
Cllr Jackie Smith, the cabinet member overseeing the economy and business, said: “We’re working closely with local businesses and our tourism partners to make sure the impact of the closure is as minimal as possible.
“Millions of people visit Greenwich every year so we’ll be exploring all the ways we can work with TfL (Transport for London) and others to keep our town centre the vibrant, bustling corner of London that people know and love.
Ben Grellier, TfL’s head of operations for the DLR, said: “We know Cutty Sark’s escalators have been causing disruption and frustration for our customers and we would like to thank them for their patience during this period.
“We apologise for any further disruption the station closure may cause, but it is not possible to replace these escalators with the station in operation. Once installed, the new state-of-the-art escalators will provide customers with reliable and easier access to DLR services at the station.”
Pictured top: The Cutty Sark station (Picture: Google Street View)
