Naming London Overground lines

London Overground lines are to be named to make the network easier to navigate and ensure the Capital's transport system reflects its rich and diverse history. We aim to make the changes by the end of 2024.

The London Overground network spans 6 routes:   

  • Stratford to Richmond/Clapham Junction     
  • Euston to Watford Junction     
  • Gospel Oak to Barking Riverside    
  • Liverpool Street to Cheshunt/Enfield Town/Chingford    
  • Highbury & Islington to New Cross/Crystal Palace/West Croydon/Clapham Junction     
  • Romford to Upminster 

Each of these 6 routes will be given its own name. This naming convention will bring London Overground in line with the Tube. 

London Overground train

Benefits 

Specific improvements will include: 

  • Increased usability and comprehension of the network 
  • Greater customer confidence   
  • Clearer wayfinding 
  • Clearer service disruption information  

We'll be carrying out a full Equality Impact Assessment to understand any impacts on customers with protected characteristics, as well as what actions we can take to mitigate these.

"There are so many Londoners, historic locations and forgotten stories from our city that need re-telling. Naming the lines will not only help educate visitors about what our amazing city and incredible history but will also make it easier for people who live, work or visit London to more easily navigate the city."
Sadiq Khan
Mayor of London

Choosing the names

Line naming represents a positive and unique opportunity to engage customers and communities.  

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has also stated his ambition for the naming of London Overground lines to reflect London's diversity within the public realm. 

TfL is working with the Commission for Diversity in the Public Realm to establish broad themes we'll use to guide the community engagement.

The programme of community engagement, led by our partner agency DNCO, will take place with a range of audiences, including local groups and transport historians. 

The approach is centred around hearing from the many different communities that live close to the London Overground and how we can represent them through the line names.

TfL will engage with stakeholders at local, national levels to ensure that the community engagement programme is inclusive and collaborative. We'll keep these stakeholders updated as the project progresses.

London Overground staff

What will change

London Overground services will not be impacted by these changes across stations and trains, and customers will still be able to make the same journeys.

Design options will be tested to ensure the network is easier to navigate. London Overground will remain as the umbrella brand, keeping the iconic orange roundel.

We'll be updating wayfinding in stations and across other customer information, for example on TfL Journey Planner and service status information.

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