Mayor of London Boris Johnson inaugurated the expanded London Overground network on December 10 (Photo: Tony Miles).

UK: Mayor of London Boris Johnson and Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin inaugurated an extension of the London Overground network through south London on December 10, creating an orbital service around the capital. Passenger services had begun the previous day.

The project required construction of a 1·3 km link joining existing lines at Surrey Quays and Queen's Road Peckham, enabling trains to run between Highbury & Islington and Clapham Junction. The extension project has cost £75m, with the Department for Transport contributing £60m and the Mayor and Transport for London £15m.