Lottery Grant to Help Safeguard Acton Depot's Collection
London Transport Museum given funds to display more of its historic signs
Acton Depot has more than 320,000 objects. Picture: LT Museum
October 15, 2026
London Transport Museum has been awarded a £237,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to support a major project dedicated to preserving and sharing one of the capital’s most distinctive heritage collections: the signs that have shaped London’s transport identity for more than 150 years.
The initiative, Acton Access: Signs, Stories and Skills, will focus on reviewing, conserving and reorganising 3,314 historic signs held at the Museum’s Depot in Acton. The collection includes station nameboards, bus and tram stop flags, maps, advertising panels and safety signage, many of which feature the iconic roundel and Johnston typeface that have become synonymous with London’s transport network.
The roundel, first introduced in 1908 as a simple bullseye symbol, has evolved into a family of coloured designs used across the Underground, Overground, DLR and other services. Alongside Johnston’s 1916 typeface—often described as “London’s handwriting”—it forms one of the world’s most recognisable transport identities. The Museum notes that these signs also reflect the communities they serve, with many London neighbourhoods closely associated with the names of their local stations.
As the collection has expanded, pressure on storage space has made it increasingly difficult to care for and interpret the signs. The Heritage Fund grant will enable a full review of the collection, helping the Museum improve storage, management and access. Identifying duplicate signs will create additional space and allow some items to be transferred to other museums and public organisations, widening public access to the material.
A key part of the project involves working with volunteers and local community participants to research and document the stories behind the signs. Community members will be invited to contribute their own memories and perspectives, shaping how the collection is interpreted for future audiences. The project will also offer training and paid work experience placements, giving local people hands-on experience in collections management, heritage interpretation and storytelling.
Fenella Goodhart, Director of Learning and Participation at London Transport Museum, said the signs represent far more than functional infrastructure. “They tell the story of how London has grown and changed over more than 150 years, reflecting the neighbourhoods, communities and people that make this city what it is,” she said. She added that the grant will help protect an internationally significant collection while deepening understanding of the stories it holds.
Stuart McLeod, Director of England – London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said the signs are closely tied to the capital’s identity. “London's transport signs are woven into the capital's identity, connecting people to places, memories and communities,” he said, noting that the project will help ensure the collection is cared for and shared with future generations.
The Museum says the project will secure the long-term future of one of the world’s most important collections of transport signage, while capturing stories and memories that might otherwise be lost.
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