Boris puts Bakerloo line extension in his 2020 vision for London

On Tuesday Mr Johnson launched his 2020 Vision – The Greatest City on Earth: Ambitions for London document at City Hall.

The Mayor wrote: "...after years of talking about it, we now have the tunnelling technology to extend the tube into the soft clay of south London. We are now looking at the extension of the Bakerloo line beyond Elephant & Castle."

He added: "Now is the time for borough leaders to come forward with plans to make use of potential extensions of the Tramlink, the tube, the DLR and other overground rail in such a way as to yield jobs, growth and housing."

However, any move to make progress with the expansion of the tube network is dependent on Transport for London negotiating a favourable long-term financial settlement with the Treasury.

Southwark Council leader Peter John welcomed the inclusion of two references to a Bakerloo line extension in the document but warned that the rest of the document was "more stream of consciousness than clear vision".

"This is very good news indeed for the people of Southwark and for south London as a whole," said Cllr John.

"I asked the Mayor earlier in the year to extend the Bakerloo Line to Camberwell and Peckham and he said "it's a deal". The Mayor's public commitment today in his 2020 vision is the next step. Tube expansion will bring greater job opportunities and prosperity to our borough and for people in Camberwell and Peckham will be a century-long promise finally being delivered.

"We are already supporting the in-depth study the Mayor has mentioned and we would urge everyone involved in that project to move quickly so that we can bring the economic benefits the tube will bring to as many people as early as possible."

Elsewhere in the 'vision' document the Mayor writes about his 'opportunity areas' for major development which include London Bridge, Elephant & Castle and Waterloo.

"Where buildings are on top of or immediately adjacent to a transport hub, it may make sense to build high – depending on the historic or architectural context," wrote Mr Johnson.

"There are some places such as Vauxhall or London Bridge where high rise development is clearly right and has strong local support."

Of London Bridge, he wrote: "The glistening totem of the Shard sends a dramatic signal of this area's potential. The real strength of the area lies in the scope to develop strategic office provision, particularly in the hinterland between London and Blackfriars Bridges."

At Waterloo, TfL will press the Treasury for funding for major works to the tube station.

"Redeveloping and redefining Waterloo Station will also create a new centre for the area around the South Bank," said Mr Johnson.

In the nearer term the Mayor also confirmed his intention to establish a 'cycle hub' at Waterloo, but it is unclear how this relates to plans announced by the Department of Transport three and a half years ago.

Len Duvall AM, leader of the Labour group at City Hall, was predictably unimpressed: "He's been Mayor for five years and all he's done is open projects started by his predecessor.

"Today's report launch looks like he's panicking about his legacy. Many of the aims in the report are laudable, but the Mayor's failure to deliver any of this in the last five years doesn't fill us with confidence that he'll do them in his last three.

"This is the beginning of Boris's long goodbye to London as his attention turns elsewhere."