Transport for London (TfL) is commemorating the debut of the new London Overground Liberty line this autumn.

Individuals are invited to nominate unsung heroes who have significantly contributed to the Havering community for a chance to win prizes related to the London Overground Liberty line.

Back in January 2024, TfL announced that the lines on the Overground system would be renamed.

This autumn, the London Overground route between Romford and Upminster will be renamed the London Overground Liberty Line.

The new designation honours the area’s distinctive past as a Royal Liberty from 1465 to 1892, a period during which the inhabitants enjoyed unique privileges not afforded to the rest of London.

Transport for London (TfL) is inviting nominations for individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the Havering community, offering special London Overground rewards that reflect the area’s regal heritage.

This autumn, staff at the three stations along the new Liberty Line will select three unsung heroes.

The competition remains open until September 15, and the victors will receive special transport-related rewards from TfL, reminiscent of the privileges once granted to the residents of the Royal Liberty.

Prizes include an exclusive ride in a London Overground cab, a behind-the-scenes tour of the Romford railway control centre, an opportunity to view the first new London Overground Liberty line signs, and additional Liberty line merchandise.

TfL recently featured Havering’s distinctive history in the latest episode of its Mind the Gap podcast series, highlighting how residents were historically exempt from paying certain tolls and could refer to local courts for resolving disputes or managing minor debt issues.

Host Tim Dunn interviewed Ellen Owen, a former director of Havering Museum.

Ellen, who now volunteers to raise funds and organize events for the museum, discussed Havering’s history as an area that was notably progressive and independent due to its status as a Royal Liberty.

In the same episode, Tim accompanied historian Brian Evans on a walking tour of Romford to explore the subtle traces of the bygone Royal Liberty and to understand its enduring legacy.

“Havering is brilliant, it’s moving forward, but not everyone knows about the liberty. What the London Overground line naming inspires is liberty, freedom, and autonomy. There’s so much history behind the name.”

Ellen Owen, former Director of Havering Museum

The ‘Mind the Gap’ podcast delves into each of the six London Overground lines, which will be re-branded with new names and colours this autumn to simplify navigation for passengers and honour the city’s rich cultural and historical tapestry. Listeners can now access the initial two episodes, focusing on the London Overground’s Mildmay and Lioness lines. Produced by 18Sixty, the series is accessible for download on all main podcast platforms.

“Our public transport network represents the freedom to get around the city for so many Londoners, whether that’s to work, to school, to visit loved ones – That’s part of the liberty embodied by the naming of this line. The new name for the London Overground line also reflects the area’s history of course, and I can’t wait for people to hear some of the intriguing stories of Havering’s past in the new podcast episode.”

Tim Dunn, Railway Historian and Broadcaster