The government will tomorrow give the green light for plans to construct Crossrail, the £10 billion railway link between East and West London in time for the 2012 Olympics.

Approval for the long-awaited project will top a series of transport announcements by ministers which will also include extending congestion charging and more tolls on motorways, says the Times.

The funding for the scheme will come via a public-private partnership.

Policies for extending congestion charging and road pricing in around 20 towns and cities will be put forward as solutions to the growing gridlock on the streets and roads.