London: £25bn will add space for capital's transport

London is to receive £15bn in public money and £10bn of private investment.

London is to receive £15bn in public money and £10bn of private investment.

All main bus routes should be improved to "quality-plus" standards, meaning greater comfort, accessibility, information and security for passengers. It is intended that buses will more frequent and that there will be more off-peak and night services. The Government expects the new London mayor to introduce "effective congestion charging" in central London with the help of government funds.

The London Cycle Network should be completed within the 10-year period, with safety schemes and improvements to main roads.

There will also be plans to re-route traffic to improve the environment for pedestrians and improve public transport. Funds will enable the new mayor to maintain roads and bridges to a higher standard.

The Docklands Light Railway extension to City Airport is to be completed as well as at least two other tram schemes. Ministers also believe the new funding arrangement will allow additional crossings across the Thames near the East End.

"Smartcards" will be available on the Docklands Light Railway and Croydon Tramlink in addition to existing plans for London Underground and bus services.

John Prescott believes the public-private partnership envisaged for the Tube network will mean elimination of a backlog in maintenance projects and renewal work. He believes the quality of service and travelling environment will be enhanced by the intended part-privatisation.

The Thameslink 2000 project will give additional capacity at London Bridge together with extensions to routes in east London. A new east-west rail link, such as the suggested CrossRail scheme, could deliver up to a 15 per cent increase in the total number of national rail and Underground seats available in central London during morning peak times.

Ministers envisage that rail franchise replacements will lead to better services into London Victoria and Waterloo. Capacity will also increase on the Chiltern Line.