Newham's Strategic Development Committee has approved plans for a replacement Docklands Light Railway (DLR) station at Pudding Mill Lane.

The existing Pudding Mill Lane DLR station is located where the Crossrail route reaches the surface and therefore a new station needs to be constructed. The replacement DLR station will be constructed immediately to the south, between the River Lea and City Mill River.

The existing DLR station at Pudding Mill Lane will remain open to passengers until the new station is complete in 2013. Construction of the new DLR station will get underway later this year.

The new station will be purpose built to accommodate longer three-car DLR trains as well as providing improved step-free access. Outside the station, there will be a large open space which will link into wider pedestrian routes as well as providing connections with local bus routes. Significant levels of development are taking place in the Pudding Mill Lane area and the station has been designed to accommodate future increases in passenger demand as well as to incorporate escalators at a later date.

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Howard Smith, London Rail's Chief Operating Officer said: "TfL welcomes the opportunity presented by Crossrail's construction to provide DLR passengers with a brand new station at Pudding Mill Lane.

"The new station will be able to accommodate many more passengers than the existing station which will support future development as well as the future use of the Olympic stadium."

The Crossrail Act 2008 granted outline planning permission for the replacement station, while allowing the London Borough of Newham to approve details in relation to external design and materials as well as boundary walls, fences and lighting.

Five new tunnel portals will be constructed as part of Crossrail at Royal Oak, Pudding Mill Lane, North Woolwich, Victoria Dock and Plumstead.

The Crossrail works at Pudding Mill Lane involve the construction of 300m long tunnel portal structure and a 120m long approach ramp. It is these works which require the rebuilding of the existing DLR station further south.

The Pudding Mill Lane portal site will receive the tunnel boring machines (TBMs) which will create the Crossrail tunnels from Stepney Green. The first TBM will arrive at Pudding Mill Lane in spring 2014 and the second in summer 2014.

Once operational, Crossrail trains will emerge from the central section tunnels at Pudding Mill Lane, using the portal structure and ramp to join the Great Eastern Main Line to make their way towards Shenfield. DLR passengers will be able to interchange with Crossrail at Stratford station.

Enabling works for Pudding Mill Lane Portal started over a year ago and are on schedule to be completed at the end of 2011. Main construction for Pudding Mill Lane Portal is now underway.

(CD/GK)