DLR trains slowed down after engineers notice they travelled 'too fast'

DLR trains have had to been slowed down after engineers noticed that they were travelling too quickly on some sections of the network. Officials made the call after it was discovered that there was not enough of a safety margin between the speed of trains and their recommended top speed.

This was discovered during a recent review of the signalling system, the BBC reports. As a result, most sections have been slowed by five kilometres per hour, Transport for London (TfL) said.

The authority added that the trains never exceeded their recommended track speed.

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TfL’s general manager for the DLR, Tom Page told the BBC : "Following a review of our signalling system we identified a pre-existing technical issue, which meant there were a number of places where there is not enough margin between maximum recommended speed and the speed of the trains. For the continued safe operation of the network, we decided to reduce the speed at these locations.

"The DLR continues to be one of the safest light rail networks in the country."

DLR trains could be further delayed

It comes after the Mayor of London and Chair of TfL Sadiq Khan hinted that the full rollout of new DLR trains could be delayed even further. The stock was due to start being introduced onto the network in April this year.

Now, the first of the new trains is expected to be rolled out by the end of the year. But Mr Khan has said that the full programme has been interrupted by a contractor going into administration.

He told the London Assembly in May: "The new DLR trains will be fantastic, enhancing the experience for customers with features such as real time information, air cooling and USB charging points. They will provide additional capacity, unlocking thousands of new homes.

"As such, whilst Transport for London is striving to have all 54 trains in service by the end of 2026, this is subject to how testing of each train goes and how the depot programme progresses which will provide the additional stabling and maintenance building required."

"The first train is scheduled to enter service this year. However, the programme has been hampered by a contractor working on the expansion of the depot at Beckton going into administration in September 2023."

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