Greenwich is a very popular part of London with tourists and commuters. Visitors love the huge array of attractions, including the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich Park, and the UNESCO site. It is great for commuting too, especially with DLR services allowing people to get to Canary Wharf rapidly. However, locals and visitors need to plan ahead for some disruption when a major station closes. We want to have a closer look at it here. Then, if you want guaranteed rent in Greenwich, we are here to help.

A busy station

The Cutty Sark DLR station is one of the busiest in South London. Figures show it has over 7.6m entrances and exits per year. The popularity stems from the fact it is in the historic centre of Greenwich and close to numerous popular sights. It gets especially busy around the time of the London Marathon because the start point is in the area.

While it is a really popular and important station, there have been problems here for a number of years. The biggest issue is the escalators break down regularly. There have been frequent disruptions in the last three years. Broken escalators mean long queues to use a lift or climbing 121 stairs. Some people simply go to the next station and walk ten minutes to get back. Sadly, complex repairs, costing £695,000, did not resolve the problem.

Replacement

Transport for London (TfL) has now said they will be replacing all four escalators at the Cutty Sark DLR. The schedule is to close the station on 31st May. The estimate is the £4m project will take ten months to complete. As a result, it will ensure the station will reopen again before the 2026 London Marathon. If you have assets and don’t get guaranteed rent in Greenwich, consider the closure may impact the level of demand for properties in the short term.

The initial estimate was it would only take six months to replace the escalators. However, there are some big challenges here. Firstly, the originals were installed before a roof was put in place. So, engineers will have to work around this. Secondly, the area is built up and narrow, causing accessibility problems. TfL has also been more conservative with the plans because work at Kentish Town took far longer than they thought.

Although there will be disruption while Cutty Sark DLR station is closed, once the upgrade is finished it will be much better for users. The new escalators will be energy efficient and far more reliable. That will be great news for everyone.

Comments

TfL’s Head of Operations for the DLR, Ben Grellier, acknowledged the disruption and frustration that the broken escalators had caused over the last few years. He said TfL would like to “apologise for any further disruption”, but the work will provide “reliable and easier access” in the future.

The London Assembly Member for Greenwich and Lewisham, Len Duvall, said they “welcome the news that TfL has secured funding for a lasting resolution to problems”. They are looking forward to the station reopening next year.

Do you want guaranteed rent in Greenwich?

Greenwich has some fantastic properties that make incredible assets. People love living here, so there is high demand. The most popular spots tend to be near transport links and other amenities, including green space.

If you invest and want some protection for your assets, you can rely on us. We specialise in guaranteed rent, arranging solutions in Greenwich and other parts of London. The services are the absolute best way to make sure you get a stable rental income with no breaks or interruptions. At the same time, they can include managing and maintaining properties.

So, if you want guaranteed rent in Greenwich, speak to us. We’re happy to advise, including answering any questions. You can also rely on us to review properties and make sure everything is in order.