“Peggy leggy steps” is a curious nickname isn’t it? We are standing before the Star Lane DLR Mural. It is more than just a splash of color. It’s a testament to the area’s transformation.
Star Lane DLR station serves the Star Lane area. It is located in North Canning Town. The station stands just north of the Canning Interchange. This includes the bus station and Jubilee line. Other DLR services are also nearby. The A13, A1011, and A124 roads all meet here. In 2012, this station was opposite the Uniform Distribution and Accreditation Centre for the Olympics.
The Star Lane DLR station opened on August 31, 2011. It sits on the Stratford International extension of the Docklands Light Railway. The station is between Stratford and Canning Town.
The station’s location has a rich railway history. The Eastern Counties and Thames Junction Railway originally ran here. It opened between Stratford and Canning Town in 1846. This line later became part of the North London Line in 1979.
Interestingly, the Eastern Counties and Thames Junction Railway had four tracks here. The western pair were redeveloped for the London Underground’s Jubilee line in 1999. The eastern pair carried the North London Line. These were cut back at Stratford in 2006. The tracks then became part of the Docklands Light Railway. The station was constructed with two platforms.
Did you know this station was almost named Cody Road station? Some maps even showed it as such before it opened.
The station has an island platform under a footbridge. Changes were made around Manor Road and Star Lane. This required taking a small piece of land from Star Primary School. A new pedestrian crossing was also installed on Star Lane. The footbridge was replaced. Locals called the old one “the peggy leggy steps”.
The Star Lane DLR station features artwork by Toby Paterson. It shares this artwork with Stratford High Street, Stratford, and Abbey Road stations. The artwork is called Places of Exchange. It features tessellated patterns. These are etched into the glass panels of the station. The patterns are inspired by the local area.
Today, the DLR sees substantial use. In 2019, annual boardings and alightings reached 1.504 million. Numbers dipped in 2020 and 2021, but rebounded to 1.470 million in 2022. In 2023, usage climbed to 1.690 million.
From Star Lane, you can travel to Stratford International or Woolwich Arsenal. The typical off-peak service provides six trains per hour to each destination. During peak hours, the service increases to eight trains per hour. London Buses routes 276 and 323 also serve the station.
The DLR itself has transformed East London. What started as a light railway evolved into a full-blown metro system. The DLR played a major role in the area’s economic and social transformation. Now the Star Lane DLR Mural serves as a vibrant reminder of the station’s role. It enlivens the daily commute. It also reflects the dynamic spirit of this constantly evolving area.