London Mayor Axes Transport Projects

London mayor Boris Johnson said on today that he was axing transport projects that would have cost more than £3 billion, to concentrate on "key" schemes that had funding in place.

Johnson's 10-year transport plans will focus on upgrading the underground system, building the massive east-west Crossrail train project, extending the East London line, improving vehicle traffic flows and boosting cycling.

However, he said he would ditch plans for numerous projects including a new Thames Gateway Bridge in east London, the Cross River Tram scheme, the Croydon Tramlink extension, the DLR extension to Dagenham Dock and a tram scheme for Oxford Street.

The Conservative mayor said."At a time when Londoners are struggling, it is our duty to get maximum bang for their buck and invest in fully funded schemes that we know can be delivered..I will not continue with the former mayor's unrealistic and hollow promises."

There will be new air-conditioned Tube trains, upgrades to the Jubilee, Victoria and Northern lines to increase capacity by up to 30 percent, a new Routemaster bus, and schemes to promote walking and cycling.