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Boris Johnson today told motorists hit by months of delays during the construction of a cycle superhighway on the Victoria Embankment that the “end is now in sight”.

The Mayor announced the largely segregated route, part of his £47 million flagship “Crossrail for cyclists” scheme, would open on the 12 miles between Westminster and Barking on April 30.

Construction work is underway on the western section between Parliament Square and Paddington via Hyde Park. It will open after Mr Johnson leaves office in May.

Consultation has started on extending the route from Paddington to Acton via the A40 Westway flyover, but that will only proceed if the next Mayor gives it his or her support.

Lord Sugar was among many motorists who complained about delays to their journeys being caused by the new road layout on the Embankment to accommodate the riverside segregated two-way lane.

Mr Johnson, who visited the cycle superhighway today, said: “In 2013 I stood on this very spot on the Embankment and promised that we would soon behold a magnificent cycle superhighway. Many doubted it would ever get beyond the artist’s impression. A noisy minority fought hard to stop it happening.

“But, in opinion polls and public consultations, large majorities of ordinary Londoners, most of them not cyclists, said they wanted this project and what it represents for a cleaner, safer, greener city.

“I apologise to motorists temporarily inconvenienced by the construction works on the Embankment, and I thank them for their patience in putting up with it - but the end is now in sight.”

He said there had been a 73 per cent increase in the number of cyclists crossing Vauxhall bridge since a segregated superhighway was opened last November, with vehicle journeys taking the same time or being slightly quicker.

Transport for London said 3,394 cyclists used the bridge between 7am-10am and 4pm-7pm each weekday last month, compared with 1,967 in February last year. However, almost one in five cyclists chose to ride in the main carriageway across the bridge rather than the protected cycle lane.