London Mayor Sadiq Khan unveils Overground map in Dalston

Speaking to reporters at Dalston Junction station this morning (November 28), the London Mayor said that the names would make it easier for people to find their way around the capital.

The rebrand of Transport for London’s (TfL) six Overground lines is estimated to cost around £6 million.

Critics, including Conservative London Assembly member Susan Hall, have described the rebrand as a case of “misplaced priorities and virtue signalling”.

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But the London Mayor disagrees. “Wayfinding is really important for commuters, visitors and for Londoners,” he said.

“Also, we need to recognise that there are many stories that need to be told and should be told – whether it’s the Suffragettes or Windrush.”

Naming Overground lines will help with 'wayfinding', Sadiq Khan said. Pictured: Mildmay line sign at Hackney Wick station. (Image: Alick Cotterill/TfL)

He added: “The money for changing the lines came from existing budgets – no additional money has been spent by TfL.”

Despite the cost, not every map on the TfL network will be changed as part of the rebrand.

Announcements and maps on Overground trains and at the 113 stations on the network are in the process of being changed.

Underground stations will also get new maps. But signs in Tube train carriages will not be updated due to “financial constraints”.

Emma Strain, TfL’s customer director, said that map changes have been prioritised at the places where people interchange.

“It’s about how the customer moves around,” she explained. “For example, this morning, I jumped on the Victoria line and then got off at Highbury & Islington.

“There, you see the Overground roundel and then as you move through that station you start to see more information.

“Although not literally everything will be done, we are focusing on the customer - where people are interchanging and how they travel.”

Emma Strain, TfL’s customer director, said that maps would be replaced where they best aid passengers' experience (Image: Newsquest)

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People taking the journey between Highbury & Islington and Dalston Junction towards south London will now be travelling on the red-coloured Windrush line.

The London Mayor said that this name was chosen to honour the “massive contribution” of the Windrush community to “transport, the NHS and culture” in the capital.

“Unfortunately, the Windrush story has not been told and the joy of having a line named after Windrush is that hopefully people now ask the question,” he added.

The other new line names and colours are:

• Lioness (running from Watford Junction to Euston) - yellow
• Mildmay (running from Richmond and Clapham Junction to Stratford) - blue 
• Weaver (running from Liverpool Street to Enfield Town, Cheshunt and Chingford) – maroon 
• Suffragette (running from Gospel Oak to Barking Riverside) – green 
• Liberty (running from Romford to Upminster) - grey