The East London Line on the London Underground currently runs from Whitechapel in the north down to two branches in the south which terminate at New Cross Gate or New Cross.

However, the future of the East London Line is going to be quite different, as the line is going to be extended in two phases. This will require the entire line to be shut down from December 2007 until June 2010. Incidentally, Shoreditch Station closed permanently in June 2006.

The northern extension of the East London Line will go up to Highbury & Islington, whilst the southern extension will go down to two branches in the south, to Crystal Palace and West Croydon.

When the line reopens in 2010, it will be incorporated into a new rail franchise known as the 'London Overground' which will link the current North London Railway, with the new East London Railway.

A further extension from Surrey Quays down to Clapham Junction has also been planned, but this is unlikely to be approved until 2012.

 There isn't an "East London" line in the system. Sorry!