Crossrail 2 is a step closer to coming to Kingston after the mayor of London backed a regional route that could see high-speed trains come through five of the borough’s stations.

Boris Johnson has given his support to the route that would allow commuters in Kingston to get to Tottenham Court Road station in central London within less than half an hour.

Other stations included in the preferred route are New Malden, Motspur Park, Surbiton and Chessington South.

Mr Johnson said: “Crossrail 2 is a vital project not just for the capital, but also for the regions from which people travel in to London on packed trains each day of the week.

“For the capital to remain globally competitive there needs to be continued investment in our transport network and that’s why we have to get cracking on planning for Crossrail 2.

“It’s an essential infrastructure project that will deliver thousands of new homes and jobs, as well as helping to keep our great city moving.”

The scheme would be completed by 2030 at the cost of about £20bn.

Michele Dix, Transport for London’s managing director for planning, said: "We need to continue to move forward with this scheme to identify funding options and safeguard the route, which will benefit London and beyond.

“Working collaboratively with Network Rail the next stage of work will look at the route and stations in more detail, engaging further with the local authorities, communities and other key stakeholders along the route.”

A consultation on a single preferred route and station locations is expected September 2015.

Stephen Knight, London Assembly member for Kingston and Richmond, said: "It is vital that the investment is found to construct Crossrail 2 as it is needed to ensure that London as a whole can continue to grow and prosper.

"In south-west London it will relieve overcrowding and enable a significant improvement to the current transport links.”

Councillor David Cunningham, lead for transport, said: “I think it is excellent. It will be good for the town. We have met up with TFL because part of the schemes we are looking at for the improvement of Kingston station will benefit from the Crossrail 2.” 

Liberal Democrat Councillor Liz Green, leader of the opposition, said: “I think it is everybody’s preferred route but my worry is the costing. Where is that money coming from?”

During the lead up to the election, the Liberal Democrats suggested City Hall was working on plans to create 70,000 homes on greenbelt land for a new suburb in Chessington that Crossrail 2 would make a demand for.

Mr Johnson strongly denied the claims.