Boris Johnson's winter Games mission

Boris Johnson today announced he would attend the Winter Olympics in Vancouver in a bid to learn lessons for London.

He hopes London can copy the Canadian city's plans to cut traffic by 30 per cent during February's Games. He is also attracted by its green initiatives.

Mr Johnson, who today met Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson at City Hall, said: "I believe we will learn much from each other's experiences of managing major sporting events and the challenges of running large cities."

Mr Johnson earlier told business leaders about the need for continued investment in the Tube upgrade and Crossrail after a report warned of slower journeys and more overcrowding if government funding is cut.

Business group London First estimated completing the 30-year Tube upgrade would be worth £24billion for Britain's economy.