Limits could be put on the number of white vans on London’s roads due to congestion blamed on internet shopping deliveries.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said commercial vehicles delivering good bought online are clogging up the capital's roads.

He said: "We think by 2031 there will be a 20 per cent increase in white van traffic just because of internet shopping.

"We need to be doing things to reduce congestion from commercial vehicles, marshalling commercial vehicles more effectively, minimising the number of journeys."

One possible solution could be a similar arrangement to the summer of 2012 during the Olympics when delivery firms were encouraged to operate outside of rush hour periods and to consider using more efficient loads.

The Mayor added: "You can do what we did during the Olympics where you have a regime that tries to have specific marshalling points, areas where the big loads are brought in and then dispersed in a more rational and efficient way.

"It's a big technical problem. Internet shopping is creating more traffic and we need to address it."

RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding said: "When it comes to internet deliveries it is no surprise people are receiving goods at work because obviously they are not at home during the day to receive them there.

"The Mayor has already recognised this and is helping some firms establish click-and-collect points at Tube stations.

"Surely the emphasis should be on expanding the number of secure drop-off points so we can all benefit from the convenience of internet shopping without adding to city centre congestion."