COMMENT Time and time again, London has shown us the power of investing in transport. From the Jubilee Line to the Elizabeth Line, these aren’t just new routes on a map, they bring new jobs, homes and growth.
This week marks another pivotal moment. A decision to extend the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to Thamesmead would unleash the potential of one of the UK’s most significant regeneration sites. It’s a chance that must not be missed.
Down on the southern banks of the Thames, Thamesmead Waterfront spans 100 hectares of brownfield land and could deliver up to 15,000 homes, a revitalised town centre, thousands of jobs and high-quality green space. Sitting at the heart of the capital’s largest cluster of Opportunity Areas, it’s uniquely placed to meet London’s housing needs and help deliver the government’s wider growth plan.
Lendlease and Peabody are working together to realise this vision: a thriving riverside neighbourhood built around sustainability, culture, connection and wellbeing. This isn’t just a new development – it’s a major step forward for Thamesmead as a whole, renewing the wider area and benefiting both new and long-standing communities.
But none of this can happen without better transport links. SE28 remains the only postcode in London with no train or Tube station and that lack of connection has been holding the area back for decades. Plans in the 1960s and 1970s to bring forward firstly a new rail route and then a Jubilee Line extension to Thamesmead town centre were both scrapped, mainly due to cost. The DLR extension is a game changer that is long overdue. It would improve access to jobs, support denser housing and give investors the confidence they need to get moving and commit for the long term.
And this isn’t just about Thamesmead. Brownfield sites need to stay front and centre in the UK’s housing strategy. In this week’s spending review and beyond. These sites can deliver thousands of homes, but they are complex and need upfront investment in infrastructure if we want to unlock their full potential.
Some of the capital’s most ambitious regeneration schemes – including others we’re proud to be part of, such as Silvertown – show just how critical government support and partnerships are in unlocking major brownfield opportunities for thousands of homes. These projects only move forward through genuine public/private collaboration, with infrastructure investment upfront and sustained support throughout. Thamesmead Waterfront is no different. With the right backing, it can become London’s next major success story in sustainable, high-quality growth.
Momentum is already building. We’re working with Transport for London to make the case for the DLR. The mayor backs it and with government support, we could be breaking ground on both the railway and the first homes within this parliament.
This week is a chance to back brownfield, boost housing delivery and champion the kind of partnership that gets complex projects built. With the right infrastructure in place, Thamesmead Waterfront can move from vision to reality – and create lasting value for London and the UK.
Ed Mayes, executive director, development, Lendlease
