The future's bright. The future's orange. That's if we're to believe this hypothetical map of the London Overground as it might be some years from now.
Transport for London (TfL), which owns the orange-liveried Overground network, is keen to take over other suburban rail routes in the capital. The map above shows the tangled linguine that might result if TfL were to subsume routes currently run by Southeastern, Southern, South West Trains and Great Northern. The franchise agreements on these routes run out between 2018 and 2021, when TfL is hoping to gain control.
The Crossrail route, to be known as the Elizabeth Line (or 'the Purp') is also depicted, along with a proposed extension of the Overground to Barking Riverside.
Mayor Sadiq Khan said:
"As our new TfL map demonstrates, devolution will help us deliver a truly integrated transport network where rail passengers get the same standard of service and reliability they get on the tube, allowing people to connect quickly with all parts of inner and outer London."
Even this sweeping map does not show the full potential for the network. The Thameslink line, for example, is not pictured, but is a potential target for TfL hegemony.
