Wikipedia
tells us about the DLR system:
"The Docklands Light Railway (the
DLR) is an automated light metro or light rail system opened in 1987 to serve
the redeveloped Docklands area of London. It reaches north to Stratford, south
to Lewisham, west to Tower Gateway and Bank in the City of London financial
district, and east to Beckton, London City Airport and Woolwich
Arsenal.
The system is not entirely
unmanned: it uses minimal staffing on board trains and at major interchange
stations; the 4 sub-surface stations are staffed to comply with underground
station requirements. Similar proposals have been made for the adjacent system,
the Tube.
The DLR is operated under a
concession awarded by Transport for London to Serco Docklands, part of the Serco
Group. The system is owned by Docklands Light Rail Limited,[7] part of the
London Rail division of Transport for London. In 2011 the DLR carried over 86
million passengers. It has been extended several times and further extensions
are being planned."
Wikipedia tells us:
"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
houses Newham Council.
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 would 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 Operation
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 was severely delayed and didn't open until
31 August 2011.
Transports Links:
London Bus routes
300 and 376."