All change for rail commuters as TfL’s Overground network expands

The London Overground has been in existence for less than a decade but it has already had a huge impact on rail service provision and has quite literally reshaped the rail map of the capital. This weekend sees further change as West Anglia’s inner suburban services are brought under Transport for London’s jurisdiction. What difference will these changes make? John W E Helm spoke to TfL’s managing director of London Rail, Mike Brown

John W E Helm

29 May 2015

TfL’s London Overground network, including the new routes taken over from the Greater Anglia franchise this weekend. The Crossrail route, which will also be managed by TfL, but awarded through a separate concession, is also shown in a lighter shade

The Class 378 trains on the East London Line have recently been lengthened from four to five cars to cope with soaring demand. Trains on the North London Line are receiving the same treatment

Mike Brown

The case for rail devolution in England has gradually been gaining ground. In some parts of the country plans are in hand to devolve rail management to more locally-based bodies to make them more accountable. In London, however, this process has been underway since 2007, and Transport for London will go one step further when it takes West Anglia’s inner rail services under its wing this weekend.

The routes in question – from Liverpool Street to Chingford, to Enfield Town and...