Boris Johnson's flagship policy to revolutionise cycling in London gets the final go-ahead

Boris Johnson's flagship policy to revolutionise cycling in London has been given the final go-ahead.

The board of Transport for London approved a plan to spend £160m on segregated bike lanes.

The biggest investment will be on two controversial 'cycle superhighways' running east-west and north-south through central London.

The schemes have faced opposition from taxi drivers, motoring organisations, the City of London and business groups, including Canary Wharf.

Some of the money will be spent on upgrading five existing cycle superhighways following the deaths of a number of cyclists.

Cycling campaigners claimed the blue-painted lanes were unsafe because they failed to protect bike riders from other road users.

Kerb stones will now separate cyclists from other traffic - a system known as segregation.

City Hall admits the bikes lanes will lead to longer delays for motorists.

Work on the £47m east-west cycle superhighway will begin after the London Marathon in April. It is due to open in May 2016.