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Earlier this year Time Out reported that Cutty Sark DLR station, one of the busiest stations in south London, would close for six months later this year. Today (April 2), we have an unfortunate update – TfL has now confirmed that Cutty Sark will instead close for the best part of a year.
The station – which is the DLR’s third-busiest hub after Canary Wharf and Limehouse with 7.6 million yearly entries and exits – is closing so that TfL can replace its escalators. Cutty Sark station’s escalators have been plagued with issues for quite some time, forcing customers to take either the lift or stairs (which total 121 steps).
Cutty Sark is a key commuter station for Greenwich locals but also popular with tourists. Cutty Sark DLR is closer than Greenwich DLR to much of the area’s visitor attractions, like the National Maritime Museum, Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich Market and, of course, the actual Cutty Sark.
During its closure Cutty Sark will apparently get four brand-spanking-new, state-of-the-art, energy efficient escalators. TfL says the station will close on Saturday May 31 and reopen ‘next spring’.
While Cutty Sark DLR is closed, TfL is advising customers to use nearby Greenwich station – which is about a 10-minute walk or a short bus ride away.
Commenting on the works, TfL’s head of operations for the DLR Ben Grellier said: ‘We know Cutty Sark’s escalators have been causing disruption and frustration for our customers and we would like to thank them for their patience during this period.
‘We apologise for any further disruption the station closure may cause, but it is not possible to replace these escalators with the station in operation. Once installed, the new state-of-the-art escalators will provide customers with reliable and easier access to DLR services at the station.’
London travel disruption in April 2025: full list of TfL tube and train closures this month.
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