Boris Johnson has been accused of abandoning outer London by dropping plans to extend the Tramlink to Crystal Palace.

The extension, which was supported by 78 per cent of Croydon residents, would have reduced journey times between Croydon and Crystal Palace to just 18 minutes.

Plans to drop the extension came to light as the Mayor outlined his plan for the future of London's transport system when he launched TfL's multi-billion pound 10-year Business Plan.

As well as the Crystal Palace tram extension, he also dropped a Brixton/Peckham to Camden cross river tram, extensions to the Docklands Light Railway and an east London river crossing, the Thames Gateway Bridge.

Val Shawcross, Labour's London Assembly transport spokeswoman, said the Mayor was showing his utter lack of ambition and abandoning outer London.

"The Mayor has said a lot about the need to invest in major projects for the sake of London's economy. Yet here he is making a bonfire of much-needed transport schemes vital the economic regeneration of the city,” she said.

"The Mayor's utter lack of commitment to public transport, to encouraging people out of their cars and to investing in London's future have been vividly exposed today.

“It seems that poorer areas of London and the outer boroughs in most need of public transport links just do not feature in the Mayor's vision."

In his speech Mr Johnson said his priorities were continued investment in transport infrastructure to create thousands of jobs for Londoners, boost the economy through uncertain times, and ensure London retains its pre-eminent global position.

He said: “We need to focus on the projects that deliver real benefits for Londoners, and let go of those that lack the funding for completion.

“These projects still required a total of over £3bn in funding from the Government or other sources.

“At a time when Londoners are struggling it is our duty to get maximum bang for their buck and invest in fully funded schemes that we know can be delivered.

“I will not continue with the former Mayor's unrealistic and hollow promises.

“The last administration's commitments amounted to billions of pounds worth of schemes that London could simply never afford.”