Here is a useful report from London Connections on the success of the ELL since it re-opened in 2010 after the first phase extension. When it closed in 2007 it was operating between Whitechapel and New Cross/New Cross Gate. That year, it carried 9m passengers. Today, the ELL runs from Highbury & Islington in the North down to New Cross, Crystal Palace and West Croydon. It carried 16m passengers in the year up to May 2011 and is on course to carry 38m passengers in 2011/2012. The second phase of the extension to Clapham Junction via Peckham Rye & Denmark Hill will open in December 2012.