In a vibrant and historic gesture, London has welcomed a new era in public transport: the Windrush Line. This latest addition to the capital’s Overground network isn’t just a new name—it’s a public celebration of the Caribbean community’s enduring impact on London life, culture, and identity. The launch of the Windrush Line London in 2025 comes with fresh branding, a bold red line across Tube maps, and a powerful reminder: London would not be the city it is today without the remarkable journey and contribution of the Windrush Generation 1948 and their descendants.

The Windrush Line: What’s Changed?

Transport for London (TfL) has given the Overground lines distinct names and colors to help passengers better navigate the network and, for the first time, truly reflect the city’s diverse stories. The Windrush Line—formerly known as the East and South London Overground route—now officially stretches from Highbury & Islington down to Clapham Junction, Crystal Palace, New Cross, and West Croydon, serving neighbourhoods such as Dalston Junction, Peckham Rye, and West Croydon—areas woven through with Caribbean heritage.

This rebrand is more than cosmetic:

• All station signage and route maps now feature the name “Windrush Line” along parallel red lines, making it instantly recognizable to millions of daily riders.
• Dalston Junction, a hub in Hackney with deep community roots, was Centre stage for the launch, with special exhibitions and celebrations led by Windrush descendants and supporters.
• It’s one of six Overground lines to receive a new name and color in this £6M network refresh aimed at celebrating “untold elements of London’s cultural history”.

Honoring the Caribbean Community: Why the Windrush Name?

The decision to choose “Windrush” honors the people who arrived on the Empire Windrush ship in 1948—marking the start of significant Caribbean migration to the UK—and the generations who have contributed to the life of the capital ever since. The line runs through the heart of the modern Caribbean community in London. Suggestions for the new name came from local boroughs, organizations like the Windrush Foundation, and community groups determined that London’s diverse past should be visible in public space.

The Windrush Foundation’s Arthur Torrington summed it up:

“Its service to Londoners will generate more public interest in the history of African and Caribbean people. The line will celebrate London’s diversity and the continuous contribution this makes to the best city in the world.”

What Does the Windrush Line Mean for Passengers?

1. Easy Navigation with a Sense of Belonging

No more “orange spaghetti”—the old Overground map now becomes clearer, with the Windrush Line’s pillar box red visible at a glance. For Caribbean Londoners—and all Londoners—it’s a daily affirmation that their history and legacy matter. Many passengers have spoken of a new sense of pride as the city’s trains reflect the communities they serve.

2. New Celebrations and Exhibitions

Alongside new signs and maps, TfL is hosting exhibitions and community events at key stations. Dalston Junction, for example, now features Windrush stories and artwork, making everyday journeys a walk through London’s multicultural narrative.

3. Improved Access to Cultural Hotspots

With stops in neighborhoods like Peck ham, Brixton, and Croydon, the Windrush Line naturally encourages visits to markets, music venues, community centers, and Windrush Day events. The network is now not just practical—it’s educational and celebratory.

London Overground Renamed 2025: The Big Picture

This rebrand is one of TfL’s biggest customer-focused projects to date, affecting signage at over 100 stations and thousands of digital and physical guides. Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, described it as a “historic change to the capital’s transport network… making our fantastic London Overground network easier for customers to navigate, celebrating the best of London, from the contribution of the Windrush generation to our inspiring England women’s football team, as well as other untold elements of London’s cultural history”.

The new names include:

• Lioness Line (celebrating England women’s football)
• Mildmay Line
• Suffragette Line
• Weaver Line
• Liberty Line
• Windrush Line (the only one directly referencing the Windrush Generation and the Caribbean community)

Voices from the Community: Two Perspectives

The Celebratory Perspective

For many Caribbean Londoners, the Windrush Line is overdue recognition. It validates decades of social, economic, and cultural contribution. Community leaders have welcomed this move as a sign that public bodies are committed to inclusion—not just in words, but in the infrastructure millions use every day.

Levi Roots, entrepreneur and musician whose family were part of the Windrush Generation, described his involvement at the launch as “an honour and a homecoming”. Local councils and campaigners who pushed for the new name describe it as “a powerful act of civic memory.”

The Cautious or Sceptical Perspective

Some critics and campaigners see the Windrush Line as an important gesture, but warn that symbolism must be backed by substance. They point to ongoing challenges for the Caribbean community, such as the legacy of the Windrush scandal and barriers to justice and equality. For these voices, the new line must not be a substitute for action on jobs, housing, and dignity.

The Windrush Generation Overground: Not Just a Name

The power of the new Windrush Line is in what it represents—a step towards embedding the city’s rich, complex histories in everyday life. By deliberately naming and celebrating the Windrush Generation, Transport for London and City Hall remind us all that transport isn’t just about moving people, but about connecting and recognising communities.

Quick Fact Sheet

• Key Stops: Highbury & Islington, Dalston Junction, Peckham Rye, Clapham Junction, Crystal Palace, West Croydon.
• Line Colour: Red (on all Tube and Overground maps).
• First Official Service: Late November 2024, fully rolled out by early 2025.
• Community Involvement: Naming process included local councils, groups like the Windrush Foundation, and open public consultation.

Looking Forward: What Can Other Cities Learn?

London’s Windrush Line sets a global precedent for celebrating diversity in public transit. It invites other cities to similarly reflect the heritage of their communities in the symbols, stations, and stories that millions encounter daily. The initiative has already sparked conversations about even greater recognition of Black and Caribbean British history in public life.

Conclusion: Celebrating Diversity, Making Connections

With the launch of the Windrush Line, London affirms its status as a city shaped by migration and multiculturalism. It’s a physical, daily tribute to the journeys and contributions of the Caribbean community—one that will be seen, felt, and celebrated by Londoners and visitors for generations to come.

As you next step aboard a Windrush Line train, remember: you’re not just moving across the city; you’re travelling through history, community, and the living story of London itself.