Quicker and safer travel will be available from this Friday 17th December for thousands of Londoners thanks to the return of the Night Overground service.

The new service runs between Highbury & Islington and New Cross Gate.

The Night Overground was stopped due to the covid pandemic, but is now back on the timetable, with services running every 15 minutes through the night on Friday and Saturdays.

The new service will provide easy access to the night-time economy areas such as Shoreditch, Hoxton and Upper Street in Islington thanks to connections with the Night Tube service at Highbury & Islington station on the Victoria line.

Bringing back this service will be welcomed by many as there is a huge 1.6 million people who work in London in the night time trade, and this will provide another safe route home.

Planned Strike action by RMT will disrupt the Night Tube services on the Central and Victoria lines on Friday 17th December as well as disruption to shoppers and party goers by a 24-hour strike action on the Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines from 04:30 on Saturday 18th December. If you are planning to visit London this weekend, please check the TfL website before travelling.

The strike action is because of new rosters for staff, which would mean them working up to four night-shift weekends each year. TFL is hopeful talks will continue and the strike action is cancelled.

Along with the Night Overground and Night Tube Services, TFL is also responsible for running one of the largest bus networks in the world with over 100 routes, meaning people can get around London whatever the time.

Over 600 organisations have signed up to the Mayor’s Women’s Night Safety Charter which sets out guidance to improve night safety for women.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “As the Mayor who first opened the Night Overground in 2017, it’s great to see the Night Overground returning this weekend, which will make a huge difference for Londoners.”

“Returning just in time for the key festive period, this is another milestone in London’s recovery, linking up diverse and vibrant areas of the city and offering a quick, easy and safe way to get around.”

Rory O’Neill, TfL’s General Manager of London Overground, said: “It’s great to see the return of Night Overground helping to make it easier for our customers to get around. An extra safe, green and affordable transport option for those working late or enjoying London at night will help all those that need it.”