The Liberty Line-Taking Pride In Our Liberty.

Speaking to local residents it became clear that they wanted a name that would reflect the area.

Romford Councillor David Taylor today shares his thoughts on the re-naming of the Push and Pull line, to the Liberty Line.

This week, the push-pull line has been renamed the Liberty Line. I think we should be proud of this name, regardless of whether we think it was money well spent or not (it probably wasn’t).

 When the Mayor of London announced that he was going to splash some cash on renaming the Overground lines, I was sceptical. We’ve seen some pretty left-field renaming exercises in the past. Labour run Birmingham rolled out names such as ‘Respect Way’, ‘Destiny Road’ and ‘Diversity Grove’. 

 Now, I’m not one to be that worried about anyone being ‘woke’. Afterall, I’d rather be woke than asleep. However, A part of me worried that the people of Havering wouldn’t properly be represented or consulted with the line renaming.

 Speaking to local residents it became clear that they wanted a name that would reflect the area. Suggestions such as the Rominster line were put forward, the Coronation Line, and perhaps even formally calling it the Push Pull Line. I was also a fan of the Ravensbourne Line, suggested by a fellow Councillor. 

 However, one name stood out above all, The Liberty Line. 

 Havering is proud of our Liberty. Granted to us in 1465, by King Edward the 4^th, the status acknowledged Havering’s independence. We were allowed to put people on trial, hang them ourselves, and we were free from taxes and tolls. Apparently, this even included being free from paying ‘pontage’ (the charge to cross a bridge) anywhere in the UK. 

 I’m half-tempted to suggest we claim this right and get everyone in Havering free crossing over Dartford!

 The name Liberty comes up a lot in Romford. We have the Liberty Mall, the Liberty Bell restaurant, and the Royal Liberty School. So, why not proudly display this name on our railway line. 

 The newly named Liberty Line is vital to our borough, and it’s entirely within our borough. It provides a vital link and, despite being threatened with closure multiple times, has survived in part thanks to local residents. 

 Inspired by this history of Liberty, and our proud independence, I wrote to the Mayor of London in July 2023 and submitted The Liberty Line as my suggestion, backed by over 200 residents. I cited our proud history, our self-made nature, and our desire to be our own boss. I also referenced the important freedoms that public transport and travel can bring people. 

 It’s fantastic to know that we, the people of Havering, have managed to name our own line. Symbolic of our desire for freedom and self-rule, it was we who named our line and not a distant body of politicians looking to enforce their rule over Havering. 

How fitting!

 So, now we have the Liberty Line. Forever, the London Map will be marked with Havering’s statement that we are not like the rest. We are different, we determine our own futures, and we are proud to be a free people. 

 This week, I tuned into TFL’s Mind The Gap podcast and listened to the wonderful folk of Havering Museum share their joy at the name, as well as fantastic stories about our borough. The podcast was a prime example of why this is such a special place to live.

Holding onto our unique heritage and identity is important, it is what sets us apart from many of the ‘cut and paste’ towns that spring up all around Greater London.

 In securing the name Liberty Line we’ve put a stake in the ground. Havering will not surrender our identity; we will be proud of our past and we will be proud of our freedoms. 

 I look forward to the next time I ride the Liberty Line. 

 “This is the Liberty Line train to Romford…” “FREEEEEEDOM” I’ll shout, in my best Mel Gibson Braveheart impression. 

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