The London Overground’s six lines will get their own individual names with stations Acton Central and South Acton being part of The Mildmay line which goes Stratford to Richmond/Clapham Junction.
Transport for London (TfL) said the names were chosen with stakeholders, customers, historians, industry experts and communities all taking part in the suggestion of the names before deciding on the final six names.
In a statement, the transport network revealed: “Research by TfL has shown that some customers find the London Overground network confusing and would find it easier to navigate if it wasn’t one single colour and name.”
The Mildmay line (blue parallel): Stratford to Richmond/Clapham Junction which runs through Dalston and is named after the Mildmay Mission Hospital in Shoreditch, the UK’s only specialist HIV hospital providing care and treatment for people since 1988.
The other five lines are:
- The Lioness line (yellow parallel): Euston to Watford Junction which runs through Wembley and the England women’s football team.
- The Windrush line (red parallel): Highbury & Islington to Clapham Junction/New Cross/Crystal Palace/West Croydon which runs through areas with strong ties to Caribbean communities today, such as Dalston Junction, Peckham Rye and West Croydon and honours the Windrush generation.
- The Weaver line (maroon parallel): Liverpool Street to Cheshunt/Enfield Town/Chingford which runs through Liverpool Street, Spitalfields, Bethnal Green and Hackney and are areas of London known for the textile trade and the diverse migrant communities who lived and work there.
- The Suffragette line (green parallel): Gospel Oak to Barking Riverside which runs to Barking, the line celebrates how those in the East End who fought for votes for woman and women’s rights. Barking was also the home of the longest surviving Suffragette Annie Huggett, who died aged 103.
- The Liberty line: Romford to Upminster (grey parallel) and celebrates the historical independence of the people of Havering which it runs through.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “This is a hugely exciting moment, transforming how we think about London’s transport network. Giving each of the Overground lines distinct colours and identities will make it simpler and easier for passengers to get around. In re-imagining London’s tube map, we are also honouring and celebrating different parts of London’s unique local history and culture.”
Geoff Coleman, chief executive officer of Mildmay Mission Hospital said: “We are deeply honoured that the Mildmay line was chosen as one of the new London Overground lines names in recognition of the work of the dedicated doctors, nurses and support staff at the Mildmay Hospital.”
Mr Coleman added: “From its humble origins in the 1860s – serving the poorest people of the East End – to its pivotal role during the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 80s and 90s, Mildmay has evolved into an internationally renowned rehab centre, and our dedicated team continues to serve people from across London. More than just tracks and stations, the Mildmay line symbolises a journey of acceptance, love, and belonging – a vibrant thread connecting our collective past, present, and future.”
Andy Lord, London’s transport commissioner commented: “The London Overground is one of the most successful railways in the country and has grown to carry more than three million customers a week. The network, which has grown quite considerably since 2007, is currently shown as a complicated network of orange on route maps. ”
He added: “This can be confusing for customers less familiar with the network and could be a barrier for some wanting to use the London Overground. These new names and line colours will simplify the maps and routes for our customers, and it is hoped it will encourage more people to make the most of our services. It is also a great way to tell the stories of some important parts of London’s cultural diversity.”
