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The Department for Transport today gave planning approval for the extension of the Docklands Light Railway to Stratford International station and the heart of the Olympic Park.

The 6km Stratford International Extension, due to open in 2010, is funded by Transport for London's £10bn investment programme and a contribution from the Olympic Delivery Authority.

It involves the conversion of part of the North London Line to DLR operation, between Royal Victoria and Stratford, and the construction of a further link to the new Channel Tunnel Rail Link station at Stratford International.

The DLR extension should mean that passengers arriving at Stratford in 2012 will have fast access the Olympic Park at Stratford and other Olympic and Paralympic venues using the DLR and the rest of London's transport network.

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said: "The extension of the Docklands Light Railway… will mean that visitors from all over the world will be able to access the Olympic Park quickly and easily, and will provide a lasting legacy for London, bringing much-needed regeneration to the areas along the route."

The Stratford International extension will serve existing stations at Stratford, West Ham, Canning Town and Royal Victoria, which will be converted to DLR specifications with improved accessibility and step-free access.

Four new, fully accessible stations will be built at Star Lane, Abbey Road, Stratford High Street and Stratford International to serve existing and future communities.

The DLR station at Stratford International will provide an interchange with Eurostar services from the CTRL station, as well as linking up to the Stratford City development and the Olympic Park.

When the project is complete, the frequency of trains will increase from two per hour now to at least six trains an hour from 2010 and more at peak times.

During the 2012 Games, the extension will be able to run up to 27 DLR trains per hour, capable of transporting approximately 13,500 passengers per hour in each direction.