Mayor determined Crossrail won't derail tube upgrade

London mayor Boris Johnson has warned the £30bn upgrade of the Underground must not be shelved to fund the £16bn Crossrail project.

Mr Johnson said both projects were of equal importance and stressed his “determination” to see the tube upgrade proceed.

He told the Guardian: “It would be quite wrong to rob Peter in order to pay Paul.

“The upgrade of the tube is the most vital thing we can do for Londoners.

“It is co-equal with Crossrail.”

Crossrail received Royal Assent on Tuesday night, allowing the project that will link Heathrow with Canary Wharf to finally begin.

But funding of the tube upgrade is under threat after the collapse of Metronet and rumours that remaining contractor Tube Lines could also face a funding gap.