The aims for the London City Airport extension were:
1. To create a new link that will significantly improve access to the communities of Silvertown, and provide a reliable public transport service to the area.
2. To provide a direct rail connection to the City from London City Airport that will enable future growth potential to be realised without adverse effect on the environment.
3. To build a railway that will act as a catalyst for substantial regeneration of Southern Royal Docks, and help bring new jobs, homes, shops and other leisure facilities to the area.
The DLR London City Airport extension runs through the southern part of the Royal Docks, an area that has been through a major amount of change in the past 20 years. The area has suffered from its relative isolation in comparison to the transport improvements that have taken place on the north of the docks and, as a result, the pace of regeneration has been slower.
The extension connects the southern part of the Royal Docks to the London rail network and offer major reductions in passenger journey times. The most significant improvements in public transport accessibility are found to Canary Wharf, the City and the West End, which experience a significant reduction in travel time as a result of the extension.
