FOI - London Overground renaming [Apr 2024]

Your request 

It is reported that the Mayor of London has proposed to spend £6.3 million on renaming six London railway lines. I have a number of questions regarding this proposal.

1. Who agreed to this proposed expenditure , that is, the GLA , local councillors, the Mayor himself?
2. What authority does the proposer(s) have for making this unusual decision?
3. Were the proposed names for the railway lines put out for consultation to the general public, councillors in London or the GLA?
4. Who decided on the names and how were they selected?
5. What is the breakdown of the £6.3m million, how is it to be spent and how much has been spent or committed to date?
6. Of the proposed £6.3 million, precisely where did this money come from, that is , receipts from the government, or London councils. or ULEZ or other traffic penalty charges?
7. If there is spare money in TfL funds would it not of been more sensible to spend money on improving the experience of travelling in London - e.g. repairing roads, fixing potholes, repairing signage in underground and overground stations , etc etc?

Our response

1. The GLA Budget has been approved by Assembly with no amends.
2. TfL’s Commissioner, Andy Lord, was the ultimate decision maker on the final names. The names were discussed in a series of delivery group and steering group meetings. The final names were endorsed by TfL’s Executive Committee followed by engagement with the Deputy Mayors and Mayor to update them on the process.
3. The renaming process is published on the TfL website at: London Overground line names - Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk)
4. Please see above link.
5. The costs for the project are being met by the GLA and have been fully accounted for in TfL’s budget. The estimated cost is £6.3m. This includes re-designing and re-displaying new maps across the 113 Overground stations in London, as well as updated printed and online maps, digital screens, and re-recording PA announcements. Transport for London (TfL) is the Mayor's transport authority and is responsible for implementing the Mayor's Transport Strategy, and for the day-to-day operational running of transport services. You may wish to send a further request to TfL at [email protected]
6. The £6.3m was provided from Business Rates. Any net revenue raised by the ULEZ must be reinvested into running and improving London’s transport network. In line with the Mayor’s Transport Strategy, any net revenue will support selected elements of walking and cycling, road safety, environment, bus (including customer information) and rail programmes.
7. Although your request can take the form of a question, rather than a request for specific documents, we do not have to answer your question if it would require the creation of new information or the provision of a judgement, explanation, advice or opinion that was not already recorded at the time of your request. Transport for London TfL is the Mayor's transport authority and is responsible for implementing the Mayor's Transport Strategy, and for the day-to-day operational running of transport services in London including about 5% of London's roads. You may wish to send a further request to TfL at [email protected]