Today we learned that the Overground line between Romford and Upminster has been officially named the 'Liberty Line', to celebrate the "the long-standing freedom that is a defining feature of London, and the historical independence of the people of Havering."
This is uniquely a name with a deep-rooted historic underpinning with the term 'Liberty' in Havering referring to a historical status granted by a charter in 1465, during the reign of King Edward IV. The manor of Havering, a royal possession from the 11th to the 19th centuries, was granted unusual autonomy. The charter provided freedom from taxation, local magistrates and gaol, exemption from the service of writs by the Essex Quarter Sessions, and the privilege of Romford Market.
Andrew Rosindell M.P. celebrated this on X, formerly Twitter, saying:
The Romford - Emerson Park - Upminster ‘push ‘n pull’ train line will now have an official name - “Liberty Line” celebrating the historic independence of the people of Havering and our status as a Royal Liberty. “Liberty” is also the motto of the London Borough of Havering!
Let us hope that Sadiq Khan acknowledge's Havering's ancient right to liberty by giving Havering the right to greater independence from City Hall!
