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Architectural rendering of the upgraded Pontoon Dock Station, featuring a large glass-enclosed structure, external staircases, new escalators and improved pedestrian access beneath the elevated railway. Trees, a cycle route and surrounding residential buildings are visible.

Improving accessibility and passenger journeys at Pontoon Dock Station

• Rail • 3 min read

Morgan Sindall Infrastructure has started work on a project to deliver a major upgrade to Pontoon Dock Station on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), helping create a more accessible, efficient and future-ready transport hub for East London.  

Located close to London City Airport, Pontoon Dock Station was originally built in the early 2000s. Since then, significant regeneration across the Royal Docks area has driven population growth and increased passenger numbers. 

To support this growth, the project will transform access to the elevated station, which currently relies on eight flights of stairs and a limited-capacity lift. The upgrade includes six new escalators, providing improved vertical circulation between ground level, a new mezzanine floor and the station platforms. This will enhance accessibility, improve passenger flow and create a better customer experience. 

The project also includes a new fully glazed station structure, retail units, additional operational accommodation, and extensive landscaping improvements. 

Architectural visualisation of the proposed Pontoon Dock Station upgrade, showing a new glazed station building beneath the elevated Docklands Light Railway structure. The design includes improved station access, widened public space, landscaping and connections between street level and the station.
Interior visualisation of the proposed station concourse, showing an escalator, wide pedestrian walkways and floor-to-ceiling glazing. The design creates bright, accessible routes between different levels of the station.
Architectural rendering of the public space beneath the elevated Pontoon Dock Station. Twin escalators provide access to the station above, with pedestrian seating areas, retail units, landscaping and improved routes creating a welcoming transport hub environment.
Architectural rendering of the upgraded Pontoon Dock Station, featuring a large glass-enclosed structure, external staircases, new escalators and improved pedestrian access beneath the elevated railway. Trees, a cycle route and surrounding residential buildings are visible.

Morgan Sindall Infrastructure has supported the project from its early stages, initially working with Mott MacDonald during concept and feasibility development to provide construction and buildability expertise.  

Procured through the London Rail Infrastructure Improvement Framework (LRIIF), the scheme progressed through a two-stage process, with Morgan Sindall Infrastructure successfully leading detailed design development before being awarded the construction phase.

A key achievement of the project has been managing the design to balance stakeholder requirements, affordability and constructability. With much of the funding provided by third parties, including the Greater London Authority and local developers, the project had to be delivered within a fixed funding envelope established before the design was fully developed. 

To achieve this, the Morgan Sindall Infrastructure team focused on understanding the project’s core drivers: improving station access, supporting sustainability objectives and ensuring cost certainty. Through rigorous design reviews, opportunities were identified to reduce costs without compromising outcomes. These included retaining and upgrading existing infrastructure where possible, simplifying finishes, applying DLR-specific standards and engaging specialist supply chain partners. 

The team also maintained real-time cost visibility, streamlined approval processes and challenged traditional construction methodologies to minimise railway disruptions and improve programme efficiency. 

Richard Woolway, Project Manager said: 

“The Pontoon Dock Station Upgrade demonstrates the value of early contractor involvement, collaborative design management and practical value engineering. By applying these principles, we have successfully taken the project from concept through detailed design and into construction, delivering a cost-effective solution that will support the future growth of the Royal Docks and improve journeys for passengers for years to come.” 

Site mobilisation and enabling works are now underway as part of a 2.5-year delivery programme. 

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