Complete system closure 11/12 February 2012

[Chris M]

I've just received the email from the DLR stating that the entire system will be closed on the 11th and 12th of February due to signalling upgrade work.

Now I know from previous discussions on here a bit about the signalling upgrades, but this closure seems to have sprung from nowhere. As recently as about a week ago there was nothing shown (at least nothing affecting the Beckton-Canning Town stretch) on the journey planner (I'm meeting my sister and cousin on the Saturday, and I was late due to DLR replacement buses last time they were in London, so I was explicitly looking at that weekend).

So why has the need to close the entire network come about so suddenly?

(As an aside, the email also notes the Woolwich Ferry will be suspended that weekend as well, does anyone know why?)

[pitdiver]

Chris on a light hearted note. I am sure that somewhere there is a joke in there somewhere about why the Woolwich Ferry is being suspended.
However due to recent events in Italy perhaps it is not the time and place yet.

Anyway best of luck with negotiating the DLR at the weekend.

[Deleted]

To my knowledge this closure was only decided about three weeks ago. We were asked to do Canary Wharf – North Woolwich & Bank – Island Gardens, but have commitments on the Northern & Jubilee lines so had to pass on the offer.

I understand Ensign might be covering these.

And yes the Woolwich Ferry was suspended last time we did the North Woolwich job. In fact normaly it only runs to about 8pm on Saturday and restarts about 11am on Sunday. But on one day due to "referbishment" it did not re-open at all. Alt route is to North Greenwich then local bus.

Dean

[Deleted]

Oh and the Woolwich foot tunnel was also closed - again due to referbishment!

[Chris M]

The foot tunnel stairs have re-opened now, although the lifts haven't. I'm not sure what they were doing as the only evidence of works in the tunnel is the installation of help points, which surely doesn't necesitate a year long closure?

[norbitonflyer]

This article gives some background - meanwhile the Greenwich tunnel is closed overnight except at weekends.