Docklands Light Railway (DLR) Thamesmead Extension (TEX) Programme – United Kingdom
Reference: WS2668230143
Client: Transport for London (TfL)
Contracting Entity: Docklands Light Railway Limited (wholly owned subsidiary of TfL)
Location: East London, UK
Procurement Category: Works (with associated Services and Goods)
Estimated Value:
- £1.35 billion (excluding VAT)
- £1.62 billion (including VAT)
Contract Period (estimated): 1 March 2027 – 31 December 2033 (6 years 10 months)
Planned Construction Period: 2028 – 2033
Engagement Deadline: 30 April 2026
Project Overview
Transport for London (TfL) has commenced Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) under the Procurement Act 2023 in relation to the proposed DLR Thamesmead Extension (TEX) Programme.
The project proposes a 3 km cross-river extension of the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) from Gallions Reach to Thamesmead via Beckton Riverside, forming a major new rail link across the River Thames in east London.
Indicative Scope of Works
The programme comprises:
- Tie-in to the existing DLR East Route, including a grade-separated junction and viaduct, transitioning to grade approaching Beckton Riverside
- New Beckton Riverside Station within the development zone
- Twin-bore cross-river tunnel of approximately 1.5 km
- New Thamesmead Station
- New turnback siding west of the extension to facilitate future service uplift on the Thamesmead branch and East Route
Scope of Services
- Civil and building design
- Mechanical, electrical, sanitary and security design
- Ground investigations
- Design leadership and coordination
Scope of Construction Works
- Enabling works
- General civil engineering and building works
- Mechanical, electrical, sanitary and security installations
- Train traction power systems
- Telecommunications systems
- Permanent way and track installation
- Station buildings
- Landscaping works
Procurement Strategy
TfL anticipates a multi-stage procurement process, incorporating early contractor involvement (ECI).
The authority is seeking industry expertise to inform development of the delivery and commercial model, including:
- Buildability and constructability
- Concept design development
- Phasing, packaging and sequencing of works
- Contractual and risk allocation structures
- Carbon reduction and whole-life cost optimisation
- Construction efficiency improvements under TfL’s evolving delivery model
TfL has previously held an Industry Day (2 December 2025) and issued a Market Sounding Questionnaire (MSQ). This notice confirms the next phase of engagement.
Industry Engagement Programme
Supplier Industry Day (Phase 2)
25 February 2026
09:30 – 12:30
The Cumberland Hotel
Great Cumberland Place
Marble Arch
London W1H 7DL
Attendance limited to three representatives per organisation.
Registration deadline: 17:00 on 18 February 2026
Market Sounding Questionnaire (MSQ)
- Issued: By 27 February 2026
- Deadline for submission: 10 April 2026 (17:00)
- Deadline for one-to-one session consideration: 27 March 2026 (17:00)
- One-to-one sessions (indicative): 13 – 30 April 2026
One-to-one meetings will focus on the proposed commercial and procurement model and will be offered to selected suppliers with relevant capability and experience.
Registration Process
All future procurement events will be conducted via TfL’s e-Tendering portal (SAP Ariba).
Interested parties must:
- Register (or confirm registration) on SAP Ariba
- Register on TfL’s SAP Ariba system
- Email TEXPartnerSupport@tfl.gov.uk with required supplier details
(subject line: “TEX Supplier Industry Day” or “TEX Supplier Industry Day 2” as applicable)
Expressions of interest will be administered via TfL’s events platform (CVENT).
Market Significance
With an estimated value of £1.62 billion including VAT, the TEX programme represents one of the UK’s most significant upcoming urban rail and tunnelling projects. The scheme will require integrated delivery capability across tunnelling, rail systems, stations, M&E, and civil infrastructure disciplines.
SAP Ariba Registration
The following instructions explain TfL's e-Tendering portal and provide guidance on how interested parties will be able to communicate with TfL in relation to this exercise. If you have already registered previously on SAP Ariba and TfL's SAP Ariba, there is no requirement repeat steps (1) - (3) and proceed to step (4) below.
(1) To register or to check if you are already registered to SAP Ariba, log on to https://service.ariba.com/Supplier.aw . Interested parties must read the instructions carefully before proceeding with registration.
(2) Once you have registered on SAP Ariba (or are already registered), you must also register on TfL's SAP Ariba system through the following link https://s1-eu.ariba.com/Sourcing/Main/ad/selfReigstration?realm=TfL
Guidance on registering is available through the following link: here https://content.tfl.gov.uk/supplier-registration.pdf
(3) Upon completion of steps 1 and/or 2, interested parties must email to: TEXPartnerSupport@tfl.gov.uk titling the email "TEX Supplier Industry Day" with the following details:
• your organisation name as registered in SAP Ariba;
• your applicable supplier ID associated with TfL in SAP Ariba, in the form of SM Vendor ID, or ERP ID, or AN ID, or ACM ID;
• your single point of contact registered on SAP Ariba; first name and surname;
• your email address registered with SAP Ariba; and
• your role in the organisation as registered with SAP Ariba. [end process]
For further information on the tender please visit https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/008797-2026 08/26.
