Speaking as Boris announced plans to complete the missing link in London’s orbital railway, Mr Tracey said, “This is fantastic news for the travelling public; for boosting the economy; for improving London’s transport infrastructure; for providing an alternative north-south link when Thameslink is out of action; and for providing a crucial route for people from the south and west of London travelling to the Olympic Games in 2012.

“As the London Assembly member for Merton & Wandsworth, which will directly benefit from the building of Phase 2, I particularly welcome today’s announcement.

“Boris is boosting real, important, public transport services – not wasting millions on pipe dreams that were never going to happen.”