In message , David
Cantrell writes

Probably because people wanting stations between Paddington and
Stratford have a chance of knowing where Stratford is but won't be able
to immediately place an irrelevant little town in rural Essex.

Not to be confused with Stratford in the London Borough of Newham , a
major transport hub, location of Olympic Park and as stated elsewhere
"Stratford is now East London's primary retail, cultural and leisure
centre. It has also become the second most significant (after Canary
Wharf) business location in the east of the capital"
--
Bryan Morris