In a unique project, Londoners are coming together to weave a sign for the newly named Weaver line of the London Overground. These public weaving sessions will produce a roundel that celebrates the city's rich history of textile trade as part of a broader initiative to rename and rebrand the Overground lines, making the network easier to get around while showing respect for London's cultural heritage.

A Creative History Through London's Past

Now, Transport for London has just launched a really one-of-a-kind project, opening up the opportunity for members of the public to contribute to the design of a woven version of the new London Overground sign. The highly innovative project also includes public weaving sessions where Londoners are called upon to work collaboratively on making a roundel in weave as a representative of the newly named Weaver line. When it's done, the work will go on display at one of the stations along the route—genuine collaboration and creativity that millions of passengers will witness.

Renaming London Overground Lines

This is one of the most significant sections of this overall plan of revamping London's public transport. From autumn, all six Overground lines will get new names and colors. Justification brought across for such alteration is that people can easily understand the network and access it with ease. At this level, changes are among the biggest ever made to the public transport maps of London.

This initiative was announced in February by Mayor Sadiq Khan. The decision is not driven solely by practicality but has a strong tilt toward the celebration of London's rich, diverse cultural history. The new names reflect the unique character and heritage that each line serves.

The Weaver Line

One of the newly named routes is the Weaver line, which runs along the maroon-colored line from Liverpool Street to Cheshunt, Enfield Town, and Chingford. The name "Weaver" is derived from areas with a storied history in tapestry, art, and design that line up along this route. Such areas have been shaped over centuries by various migrant communities who brought with them rich traditions in textile work.

There will be public weaving sessions organized by TfL at the Chingford Community Hub on September 8 and 30 to do the very best of that legacy. It was an invitation to Londoners to engage with the history at hand, becoming part of an enduring piece of art in the public domain.

A Celebration of London's Textile Heritage

Dr. Debbie Weekes-Bernard, London's deputy mayor for communities and social justice, heralds the project. According to her, the names of the Overground lines will do their part in wayfinding around the network but will also offer a chance to recognize and embrace London's special local history and culture.

"The Weaver line passes through areas of London noted for their textile trade, formed over centuries by a wide variety of migrant communities and individuals," added Dr. Weekes-Bernard. She invites Londoners to participate in weaving sessions, saying that people are able to have a "brilliant chance to create a lasting piece of artwork for the London Overground Weaver line."

TfL's customer director, Emma Strain, said the same thing: it is a powerful collaboration, one of the things this project represents. The finished tapestry would be a showcase for Londoners' creativeness and community spirit, she said.

The New Overground Line Names

As well as the Weaver line, five other Overground lines will get new names and colors:

• The Lioness Line (Yellow): This line will run from Euston to Watford Junction, named in celebration of the success of the England women's football team in Euro 2022. Wembley Stadium (where they won) lies along the route.
• The Mildmay Line (Blue): This connects Stratford and Richmond/Clapham Junction, taking its name from the Mildmay Mission Hospital in Shoreditch, which treats a wide range of HIV-related illnesses.

The Windrush Line (Red): This is the line connecting Highbury & Islington with Clapham Junction/New Cross/Crystal Palace/West Croydon and is named after the Windrush generation from the Caribbean, so influential in being part of the UK's workforce following World War II.

• The Suffragette Line (Green): Gospel Oak to Barking Riverside, this line commemorates the women's suffrage movement. One of the stalwarts, suffragette Annie Huggett, resided in Barking.
• The Liberty Line (Grey): This line runs from Romford to Upminster and symbolizes Havering's importance in history as a royal liberty, where more self-government was held in the area.

Making a Difference

Cockpit is a social enterprise that works with craftspeople and has been commissioned by TfL to hold the weaving sessions. Local communities getting involved in crafting the roundel for the Weaver line means more than just an art project: it engages people with their city's rich history and gives them the opportunity to leave their mark on London's transport network.

It's something that speaks to the power of community and celebrates the many varied histories that make London so vibrant and unique. What the Weaver line, and indeed the whole renaming project, shows is the ability of this city to take cognizance of the past and still move into the future with confidence.

So whether you're a Londoner into art, history, or just wanting to be a part of something even bigger, come along to one of our weaving sessions. Your work could be part of a lasting legacy on the move in London Overground.