That is certainly up debate.
The reason why the diagrammatic layout was (and is) highly praised by the public is because of its readibility.
People only look at 2 locations: their current one and their destination. They will eventually look at possible routes and keep track of a couple of intersections. But everything in between remains unnoticed. It's like believing that users look at every pixel of your website while they actually scan a few spots only.
The physical inaccuracy is irrelevant because you travel underground and only have a sense of time, not of space. Nobody would think "Wait, why is the tube turning North? We're supposed to go East!".
You would think the geographical accuracy of the updated map could be useful for determining which route is the quickest (assuming that physically shorter == quicker). But several additional factors come into play, like traffic, distance between 2 platforms, distance to the street...
This new map also mixes accurate layouts and schematic ones (for outer stations). So it's hard to tell at what point you can still rely upon the map for physical accuracy.
I actually find this unofficial version really appealing. Probably because it's a fresh view on a familiar visual, and provides some "Oh, that's what it looks like" moments. I'm just questioning its usefulness, especially in a time where looking at a map has been rendered obsolete thanks to Citymapper.
This is actually very irritating for inexperienced tube users.
For example, the Piccadilly line is often signed as running Westbound and Eastbound, but a significant part of it runs North-South, according to all the maps, and compared to the Victoria Line which is indeed signed Northbound and Southbound.
Then Euston-Kings Cross is Northbound on one line, and Southbound on another.
(Ok, it has a terminus now which it didn't used to - but that doesn't really clarify anything for baffled tourists at Bayswater).
I need to go to the tower of london. It is east of my current location, I know because I looked at a tourist map. According to this tube map though the line towards the tower of london stop goes north. Wait, that's not right. Am I going to the right station? Should I be taking another line? Is there maybe a different station that is closer to the tower? Maybe I should take one of the lines that go straight east. Hm. I'm confused. This tube map is confusing. It doesn't match the tourist map that I'm holding in my hand.
It's always a good feeling when I discover a new way of reaching somewhere when in the past I'd have just gone on the tube.
Unlike in the official version, different branches of the London Overground Network are now in different colours, although annoyingly the original east london line is nither called that nor orange. The Northern Line is also split into the the Northern line and the Edgeware Line
Some handy interchanges are highlighted and the correct geographical relationship between some stations is shown. Also stations close to each other where the ticketing system allows passengers to make interchanges are grouped together, like Euston and Euston Square.
Interactive svg at http://www.londonlayout.co.uk/online.htm , pdf at http://www.londonlayout.co.uk/img/tube.pdf
Well, Bayswater and Queensway are still far, far apart on this map despite being about 35m apart.
Good back up resource if needed, until it was covered with gunk and not something you wanted to pull out in public... A flaw in every plan!
I don't really agree that the map as a whole is "more useful", however! It's much less clear that the current Tube map, for example, which has had quite a bit of attention paid to visual clarity.
It's always nice to see re-interpretations though. My favourite is probably the concentric circular layout: https://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/london_undergro...
The point is this: you can touch out and touch in at the other and TfL counts it as the same continued journey (so doesn't charge you for a second journey).
Will test it tomorrow.
It's from Streatham Common to London Fields, never thought about going to Victoria and then to Moorgate through Circle Line.
Was usually getting the northern line in Balham...
big thanks!
[1] http://vianavigo.com/ the map is zoomable.
http://www.stationmasterapp.com/features.html
Not used it as no Android version :(
A useful map to look at is the one with simple walks:-
http://now-here-this.timeout.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/...
It highlights just how simple it is to walk journeys that would naively involve one or two changes; St Pauls to Barbican for example, or Covent Garden to Tottenham Court Road.
[EDIT] Ah, found one of the links:-
http://www.lifehacker.co.uk/2014/05/29/10-best-london-tube-h...
" For example, changing from the Jubilee to Piccadilly line at Green Park, you’re better off going back up the escalators to the ticket lobby, then back down, rather than following the circuitous tunnel round.
...
At the bigger stations, some Underground lines are normally busier than others at rush-hour, so not following the signs can also pay dividends. A great example is Victoria station, where trying to get onto the Victoria line can take up to 15 minutes at 5pm. Instead, head down to the District Line, then follow signs to the Victoria line once you’re down the escalators. You’ll beat the rush, and as a bonus, come onto the platforms at the quieter end. "
Even the London Connections map is based on it.
Especially since that changes once you cross the center—you can go "inbound" to your destination, and then "inbound" to go home.
The problem is that if that were done today, Camden Town would instantly become a major interchange station. It's a small, crowded station and in no way could cope with the added load.
Ten years ago there was a plan to rebuild it a massive new station along a whole block of the high street, but it had too much opposition. The last I heard is that they are going forward with a plan that's less disruptive at street-level. No construction has started yet, so check back in a decade.
