A wind of change for London Rail

This article outlines the development projects being planned for railway services in the city of London, UK. Orbital projects could form an outer ring of railway lines. A more significant role for the agency Transport for London (TfL) in managing London's rail services includes greater investment and budget management, and greater integration and co-ordination of services and pricing. The first project to go ahead will be the East London Line, integrating the existing Underground line with National Rail lines as the first stage of the orbital rail network, and bringing both transport and social inclusion benefits to the area. In the Docklands Light Railway a major new axis is planned to extend and link the line's current routes. A proposed Crossrail route would link destinations outside London on the east and west by a line including some city centre stations and with an extension to Heathrow Airport: one of its major benefits is seen as stimulating the London economy in the areas thus connected.