A consultation is currently under way on potential plans to build a new branch of the line from Gallions Reach, which if completed would stop at both Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead.
Full funding for the project is yet to be secured, but transport bosses say they hope an agreement can be reached with the Government by autumn this year.
Although only two new stations are currently planned, TfL has revealed that there could one day be a further extension of the line into Bexley.
TfL has said that building an elevated station at Thamesmead, as proposed in its consultation, would offer the “best longer-term opportunities for further extensions beyond Thamesmead”.
Places which could one day see DLR stations built include Erith and Belvedere.
However, consultation documents give this caveat: “More detailed development work would be needed to identify where a further extension would deliver the most benefit and there is currently no funding available to do this work.”
It is not the first time that proposals to extend new TfL infrastructure into Bexley have been mooted.
Local politicians have previously called for the Elizabeth line to be extended from Abbey Wood to Dartford, with the potential for stations in Belvedere and Erith.
The Government has said that that there are currently no plans to extend the Elizabeth line, although the land along the route remains protected for any future development of a new spur.
Under current plans, a DLR extension to Thamesmead would cost at least £1.5 billion.
If funding is secured, work could start on building the extension in spring 2028, allowing trains to start operating from late 2031 or early 2032.
The project is expected to support the creation of up to 30,000 new homes.
Greenwich Council has also said that building the extension is the “key in unlocking land” earmarked for redevelopment in Thamesmead.
This would allow around 15,000 new homes to be built on a 100-hectare site to the west of the town’s existing retail park on the southern bank of the Thames.
TfL’s consultation on the proposals will run until Sunday, August 17.
