Request ID: FOI-1501-2425 Date published: 24 September 2024
You asked
I would like to know if colour blind people were consulted on this rebrand? Were any colour blind advocacy groups consulted? Was anyone officially consulted regarding accessibility for the colour blind during this rebrand? If any person(s), companies, advocacy groups, or accessibility stakeholders were consulted, who were they?
If an appropriate individual or group were consulted during this rebranding, did they give advice or warnings regarding the selected colours, and was their advice implemented or ignored?
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-1501-2425 Thank you for your request received on 8 August 2024 asking for information about the renaming of the London Overground.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require.
When naming the London Overground lines, the aim was to develop the names in a collaborative and inclusive way, and use this as an opportunity to celebrate London, its diversity and culture, ensuring that more Londoners feel connected to the transport network they use every day. Therefore, it was integral that we engaged with communities as part of this project, as opposed to naming the lines internally. Stakeholders, customers, historians, industry experts and communities played a key role in informing the new names through independent engagement which took place ahead of the decision on the final six names. This was key as London’s diverse history and culture has always played a significant role in shaping the city, and we wanted the names to reflect London's diverse culture and communities. Making the network easier to navigate and more inclusive is a priority for both us and the Mayor. Naming the six routes of the London Overground aims to give customers, especially those unfamiliar with the network, more confidence to travel around London. Removing this barrier to travel could see more people choosing to travel sustainably, which would benefit the whole city. We are running an extensive campaign over the summer to help customers get familiar with the names. We have also enhanced our signage and wayfinding standards, so that signs include the line names and colour along with the Overground roundel.
You asked:
I would like to know if colour blind people were consulted on this rebrand?
Colour blindness was taken into consideration during the project. We worked with accessibility stakeholders and experts to ensure the line colours chosen are visually distinct and accessible as possible for all of our customers. This included our Independent Disability Advisory Group (IDAG) and Inclusive Transport Forum (ITF), which have visually impaired members, and consider all visual impairments including colour-blindness. Colour consideration and visual contrast was discussed at the first visit to the ITF in May 2023. Were any colour blind advocacy groups consulted? The ITF was attended by representative of the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) who consider all visual impairments including colour-blindness. The London Sight Loss Council also attended, who look specifically at making London Transport accessible to all customers with sight loss and visual impairments. No colour blind specific advocacy groups were consulted outside of the ITF and IDAG. Was anyone officially consulted regarding accessibility for the colour blind during this rebrand? Feedback was given by members from a range of visual impairment groups including the RNIB and London Sight Loss Council. Some of the IDAG members were specifically chosen to help with feedback on this project as they have visual impairments. If any person(s), companies, advocacy groups, or accessibility stakeholders were consulted, who were they?
In addition to those groups listed above, Natalie Doig - who is a visually impaired Equality, Diversity and inclusion specialist and Disability rights and transport expert supported the project team on the Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) and gave feedback on considerations for all protected characteristics including visual impairments. A mitigation we discussed for colour-blind customers, particularly for the London Underground map was ensuring the black and white Tube map (specifically designed for colour-blind customers) is updated and readily available for launch, which TfL have done, and will be online (and some printed versions for launch).
If an appropriate individual or group were consulted during this rebranding, did they give advice or warnings regarding the selected colours, and was their advice implemented or ignored? At the initial ITF meeting, there were questions raised around consideration of colours and contrasts on the London Overground map, and in comparison to the existing London Underground map. Following this we re-visited the ITF and consulted with IDAG, Natalie Doig agreed to assist with all considerations for the EQIA. There were no further comments on the colours chosen for colour-blind consideration during these sessions or the last IDAG/ ITF session. In December 2023, we carried out in station testing at Stratford station, which tested all aspects of the new signage design for this project including colours, legibility and how the parallel design impacts visibility. IDAG member, Dr Jean Marc Feghali, a Civil Engineer and Natalie Doig who both have lived experience of sight loss both attended the session, in which we tested all of these aspects in different lighting conditions. We discussed the importance of visual contrast, and decided against using orange-coloured text on signage, to ensure maximum contrast and legibility. If this is not the information you are looking for please do not hesitate to contact me. Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal. Yours sincerely Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London [email protected]
