2.6 million bid for station

Campaigners lobbying for a Docklands Light Railway station to open at a riverside tourist area have pledged extra cash towards the project.

Greenwich council wants the DLR's Lewisham extension station to be near the Cutty Sark, and has offered pounds 1m towards the pounds 13m cost.

However, London Docklands Development Corporation, overseeing the pounds 139m project, doubts it would be viable. The decision is likely to be made by Sir George Young, Financial Secretary to the Treasury.

Yesterday additional support for the Cutty Sark Gardens interchange came from the University of Greenwich, the property investors Greenwich Reach Developments, and the National Maritime Museum. Together they have offered a further pounds 1.6m.

John McWilliam, deputy vice-chancellor of the university, said students would use the service. 'I hope the combined contribution of pounds 2.6m represents an offer the Government can't refuse.

London Transport says the greatest potential would come from siting a station at Cutty Sark Gardens. Museum staff say its annual visitors would increase by 30 per cent.