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Two major tunnels could run across London under new plans today unveiled by Boris Johnson.

The Mayor of London claimed his proposals, which could be completed by the mid to late 2030s, would reduce congestion by up to 20 per cent in the centre of the capital.

The Northern Cross City Corridor would be completed first, with the preferred route running from the A40 at Park Royal in west London to the A12 at Hackney Wick in east London.

The tunnel would be funded through toll charges, the mayor said, and another tunnel could run from the A4 in Chiswick to the A13 in Beckton.

Mr Johnson today warned that congestion in central London could rise by 60 per cent by 2030 as the population is expected to increase from 8.6 million to 10 million in the same period.

He said his proposals would help ease congestion and help the capital cope with its growing populations.

He added: “London is booming and, as our great capital thrives, our ambitions for the veins and arteries that keep our city alive must grow with it.

"Around eight of every 10 journeys in London are made using our roads - whether by car, taxi, motorbike, bus, cycle, foot or freight - which is why it is vital that we think big.

"We must deliver long-term solutions that will not just make the most of the space we have for road users, but bring environmental and amenity improvements to local areas.”

While Mr Johnson said he is proud of the measure introduced to ease congestion during his time in office, he said “we need to go further”.

He said: “By pushing forward strategic initiatives we are outlining today, we will lay the foundation for the next wave of improvements to everyone's experience of the road network across the city.”

Mr Johnson unveiled the plans as part of a wider roads strategy, including devolution of Vehicle Excise Duty and increased management of freight.

Transport bosses have already looked at similar tunnel scheme used in Stockholm and Boston.

Other options, including an orbital tunnel, are also being consider and locations for smaller tunnels and ‘flyunders’ have also been identified.