TfL Reveals Rejected Names for South London’s Windrush Line

Transport for London (TfL) has released a list of names that were considered but ultimately rejected for the Windrush line in South London.

Last year, Mayor Sadiq Khan announced that the six Overground routes on London’s TfL-owned suburban railways would be given distinct identities. The final names chosen were Liberty, Lioness, Mildmay, Suffragette, Weaver, and Windrush.

However, a recently released document from uk/news/uk/TFL" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="TfL" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked" data-wpil-monitor-id="187360">TfL reveals that dozens of other names were considered before the Mayor settled on the final list. Some names were rejected because they could be easily confused with existing Tube lines, others because they might have had “negative connotations,” and a few because they were deemed too lengthy.

Windrush Line: The Celebrated and the Rejected

The Windrush line, which primarily serves South London, was named to honor the Windrush generation and the importance of migration to London’s history. The line runs from Highbury & Islington to Clapham Junction, New Cross, West Croydon, and Crystal Palace.

Among the rejected names for the Windrush line, some notable suggestions include:

• Cable Street: Commemorating the Battle of Cable Street in 1936, where local trade unionists, communists, British Jews, Irish workers, and socialist groups united in an anti-fascist demonstration.

• Lovers Rock: A nod to the subgenre of reggae music that emerged in London’s Caribbean community during the 1970s. Known for its romantic themes, Lovers Rock aimed to humanize Black Britons and was notably influenced by Eve Studios in Brockley.

• Saffron: Reflecting Croydon’s etymology, derived from the Anglo-Saxon words for crocus and valley, hinting at the area’s historical link to saffron cultivation, a spice, dye, and perfume ingredient rooted in Middle Eastern and South Asian culture.

• Moonshot: Celebrating the Moonshot community centre in New Cross Gate, which opened in 1981 as the first purpose-built centre for Black people in the UK. The centre’s founder, Sybil Phoenix, was the first Black woman to receive an MBE.

Practical and Cultural Considerations

TfL noted that some names were not chosen because they were either too similar to existing lines, might carry unintended connotations, or simply lacked practicality due to their length.

The Windrush line was ultimately chosen to acknowledge the profound cultural impact and contributions of the Windrush generation to London. While the other names held significant cultural relevance, they did not make the final cut for various reasons.

Community Reaction

Many South London residents have expressed mixed feelings, appreciating the symbolism of the chosen name while also recognizing the cultural importance of some of the discarded suggestions.

As London continues to develop its transport network, the process of naming these lines reflects the city’s ongoing dialogue with its rich and diverse heritage.

For more information on the Overground line naming process, visit the official TfL website.