Sadiq Khan unveils new names of London Overground traces
- Mayor reveals new names and hues for all six London Overground rail traces
- New names are Lioness, Mildmay, Windrush, Weaver, Suffragette and Liberty
Sadiq Khan was right now blasted for ‘advantage signalling nonsense’ as he unveiled new names and hues for all six London Overground rail traces in a £6.3million undertaking.
The Lioness, Mildmay, Windrush, Weaver, Suffragette and Liberty traces had been revealed by the Mayor – together with his Tory mayoral opponent Susan Hall saying ‘the one shock from right now’s announcement is that he hasn’t named certainly one of them the Sadiq line’.
Other critics highlighted the excessive value provided that TfL had been on the verge of chapter earlier than securing last-minute Government funding, and the way Tube crime has soared by greater than 50 per cent fuelled by a surge in thefts and robberies.
The announcement additionally comes 4 days earlier than a main Overground strike will hit providers from subsequent Monday – and within the context on ongoing Underground chaos on the Central line as a result of extra trains than typical needing repairs on the identical time.
Also right now, there was no Overground between Barking and Barking Riverside as a result of vandalism, in addition to delays on the Piccadilly line as a result of a sign failure at King’s Cross St Pancras and on the Hammersmith and City line as a result of cancellations.
Overground traces have all been orange for the reason that community was created in 2007 when Transport for London (TfL) took management of providers on 4 suburban rail traces.
The community has expanded considerably since then, creating what has been referred to as a ‘mass of orange spaghetti’ on maps, making it tough for some passengers to work out what practice they want. TfL hopes the overhaul will now make it simpler to navigate.
Each route will probably be represented on Tube maps as parallel traces in several colors – which would require one of many greatest modifications within the historical past of the well-known diagram.
The new Lioness, Mildmay, Windrush, Weaver, Suffragette and Liberty traces on the Overground
London Overground rail traces are being given particular person names and hues in a serious overhaul
The overhaul would require one of many greatest modifications within the historical past of the capital’s Tube map
London Mayor Sadiq Khan poses with a London Overground practice throughout a celebration of the opening of the brand new Barking Riverside station in Barking, East London, on July 25, 2022
Ms Hall, Mr Khan’s Conservative opponent in May’s mayoral election, advised MailOnline right now: ‘1,000 folks have been killed below his Mayoralty, and but Sadiq Khan is barely on this advantage signalling nonsense. The solely shock from right now’s announcement is that he hasn’t named certainly one of them the Sadiq line.
From the Lioness to the Windrush line: What the London Overground’s six new names imply
Here is the total description from TfL in regards to the new Overground line names:
The Lioness line: Euston to Watford Junction
‘The Lioness line, which runs by way of Wembley, honours the historic achievements and lasting legacy created by the England ladies’s soccer group that continues to encourage and empower the subsequent era of girls and ladies in sport. It will probably be yellow parallel traces on the map.’
The Mildmay line: Stratford to Richmond/Clapham Junction
‘The Mildmay line, which runs by way of Dalston, honours the small charitable hospital in Shoreditch that has cared for Londoners over a few years, notably its pivotal function within the HIV/AIDS disaster within the Nineteen Eighties, which made it the valued and revered place it’s for the LGBTQ+ group right now. It will probably be blue parallel traces on the map.’
The Windrush line: Highbury & Islington to Clapham Junction/New Cross/Crystal Palace/West Croydon
‘The Windrush line runs by way of areas with robust ties to Caribbean communities right now, comparable to Dalston Junction, Peckham Rye and West Croydon and honours the Windrush era who proceed to form and enrich London’s cultural and social id right now. It will probably be purple parallel traces on the map.’
The Weaver line: Liverpool Street to Cheshunt/Enfield Town/Chingford
‘The Weaver line runs by way of Liverpool Street, Spitalfields, Bethnal Green and Hackney – areas of London recognized for his or her textile commerce, formed over the centuries by numerous migrant communities and people. It will probably be maroon parallel traces on the map.’
The Suffragette line: Gospel Oak to Barking Riverside
‘The Suffragette line celebrates how the working-class motion within the East End, fought for votes for girl and paved the way in which for ladies’s rights. The line runs to Barking, dwelling of the longest surviving Suffragette Annie Huggett, who died at 103. It will probably be inexperienced parallel traces on the map.’
The Liberty line: Romford to Upminster
‘The Liberty line celebrates the liberty that could be a defining characteristic of London and references the historic independence of the folks of Havering, by way of which it runs. It will probably be gray parallel traces on the map.’
‘The Central line is in a horrible state, TfL is losing cash left, proper and centre, crime on the Tube is hovering, and Sadiq Khan is ignoring all of this to concentrate on his personal PR. I’ll hearken to Londoners, repair the issues with TfL and get a grip of crime.’
The most up-to-date main naming of a rail line in London was the Elizabeth line after Queen Elizabeth II, which opened in May 2022 earlier than her dying that September.
The names and hues for London Overground traces will probably be:
- The Lioness line between Euston and Watford Junction (yellow): This honours the England ladies’s soccer group successful Euro 2022 at Wembley, which is on the road.
- The Mildmay line between Stratford and Richmond/Clapham Junction (blue): The Mildmay Mission Hospital in Shoreditch specialises in treating sufferers with HIV-related sicknesses.
- The Windrush line between Highbury & Islington and Clapham Junction/New Cross/Crystal Palace/West Croydon (purple): The identify honours the Windrush era, who got here to the UK from the Caribbean to fill labour shortages after the Second World War. The line runs by way of areas with communities linked to the Caribbean.
- The Weaver line between Liverpool Street and Cheshunt/Enfield Town/Chingford (maroon): The line runs by way of areas recognized for the textile commerce.
- The Suffragette line between Gospel Oak and Barking Riverside (inexperienced): This is in tribute to the motion that fought for votes for ladies. Barking was dwelling to suffragette Annie Huggett, who lived to 103.
- The Liberty line between Romford and Upminster (gray): This celebrates how Havering, which the road runs by way of, traditionally had extra self-governance by way of being a royal liberty.
The modifications are estimated to value £6.3 million, which will probably be paid for out of Mr Khan’s Greater London Authority finances.
The majority of this may go in the direction of updating buyer info comparable to redesigning and redisplaying maps throughout all Tube and London Overground stations, and issuing new variations in print and on-line.
Public handle bulletins will probably be re-recorded and round 6,000 station route indicators will probably be up to date.
The rebranding will probably be rolled out over every week within the autumn.
It comes a 12 months after stories that TfL had ring fenced £4million for the undertaking in its finances for the most recent monetary 12 months.
John Bull, editor of transport web site London Reconnections, stated giving the traces names and hues is ‘an overdue change’.
He added: ‘One of the actual advantages that the Overground has introduced is the power to drive visitors that is not native to fascinating locations in Zone 2, Zone 3 and past.
‘But if it is not a well-known journey you’ll be able to’t simply say ‘I’m going to get on the orange line’. You must know the way they interconnect.’
Mr Bull predicted that ‘folks will grumble and moan in regards to the names’ however that has occurred for ‘each single line that has been given a reputation through the years’.
He added: ‘Frankly, it is good to have some stuff that represents issues which have modified the lives of Londoners, among the many references to queens which have tended to accrue up till now.’
Mr Khan described the modifications as a ‘vastly thrilling second, remodeling how we take into consideration London’s transport community’.
He continued: ‘Giving every of the Overground traces distinct colors and identities will make it easier and simpler for passengers to get round.
‘In reimagining London’s tube map, we’re additionally honouring and celebrating completely different components of London’s distinctive native historical past and tradition.
‘The new names and hues have been chosen by way of engagement with passengers, historians and native communities, reflecting the heritage and variety of our superb metropolis.’
Andy Lord, London’s transport commissioner, stated: ‘The London Overground is likely one of the most profitable railways within the nation and has grown to hold greater than three million clients every week.
‘The community – which has grown fairly significantly since 2007 – is presently proven as a sophisticated community of orange on maps.
‘This will be complicated for patrons much less accustomed to the community and may very well be a barrier for some wanting to make use of the London Overground.
‘These new names and line colors will simplify the maps and routes for our clients, and it’s hoped it’s going to encourage extra folks to benefit from our providers.
‘It can be an effective way to inform the tales of some essential components of London’s cultural variety.’
It comes forward of an Overground strike on Monday and Tuesday subsequent week by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union.
RMT members, who’re employed by Arriva Rail London and function the Overground on TfL’s behalf, plan to strike on each days.
All Overground routes will run, however some can have decreased working hours
No service is anticipated earlier than 8am or after 6pm on the routes of Gospel Oak to Barking (the brand new Suffragette line); Stratford to Richmond/Clapham Junction (the brand new Mildmay line); and Highbury & Islington to Clapham Junction/West Croydon/Crystal Palace/New Cross (the brand new Windrush line).
TfL stated clients travelling on these routes are suggested to think about various routes, enable additional time for his or her journey and to examine earlier than they journey.
Numerous stations will probably be closed and Overground providers is not going to cease there – these being Haggerston, Hoxton, Rotherhithe, Shadwell, Shoreditch High Street and Wapping.
Trish Ashton, TfL’s director of rail and sponsored providers, stated: ‘Strikes are by no means excellent news for our clients, and we urge the RMT and Arriva Rail London to work collectively to attempt to come to a decision.
‘Customers planning to make use of London Overground providers are urged to examine earlier than they journey, enable additional time for his or her journeys, and examine the TfL web site or the TfL Go app for the most recent journey info.’
This would be the first of two 48-hour strikes by the RMT union over pay. Further strike motion can be deliberate on Monday, March 4 and Tuesday, March 5.
Delays on the Underground’s Piccadilly line right now at Turnpike Lane station in North London
Commuters face extreme delays in North London on the Piccadilly line right now at Turnpike Lane
RMT basic secretary Mick Lynch stated: ‘London Overground staff do an essential job delivering providers for Transport for London and supporting passengers on journeys all through London.
‘Our members are livid that they’ve been given a under inflation pay supply and wish to see an enchancment that represents the worth they bring about to the corporate.
‘If this dispute can’t be resolved then RMT is greater than ready for a sustained interval of business motion to get London Overground staff the pay rise they deserve.’
Meanwhile practice drivers at 5 operators have voted to proceed strike motion for six months within the long-running dispute over pay and circumstances.
Aslef introduced that its members on Chiltern, c2c, East Midlands, Northern and TransPennine railways had backed carrying on with motion.
Aslef has additionally introduced a separate one-day strike on March 1 and three-day additional time ban from February 29 for Northern and LNER drivers.
Just one week in the past, UK rail providers returned to regular on February 7 after a wave of strikes and different types of industrial motion by Aslef practice drivers of their dispute.
