Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich

Cutty Sark station stands in the heart of Maritime Greenwich, a short walk from the clipper ship Cutty Sark. It is one of only four completely underground stations on the Docklands Light Railway, with platforms twenty metres below street level. The station sits close to the south bank of the River Thames in south-east London. A 121-step staircase once linked the platforms to the surface before a lift and new escalators were installed. The island platform has tracks on each side and was designed by consultant W S Atkins. The station opened in December 1999 as part of a southern extension of the DLR. Its construction cost around £50 million and was funded partly by local sources after initial plans were dropped. The extension connects Canary Wharf with Greenwich and includes two National Rail links. Passenger numbers rose steadily after the line opened, making the station a busy interchange. A Labour councillor once described the station’s condition before refurbishment as “shameful.” Visitors now find bright white wall panels and LED lighting throughout the station. A new lift provides step-free access while four escalators handle the heavy flow of passengers. Trains run every five minutes off-peak to Bank and Lewisham, increasing to every three minutes at peak times. Local buses 188 and 199 stop nearby, along with night routes N1 and N199. The station also serves the National Maritime Museum, Royal Observatory and Old Royal Naval College just a few minutes away.