Fewer Merton businesses will be forced to stump up for the Crossrail project after a climbdown by the Mayor of London.

A city-wide 2 per cent levy on business rates to fund the planned east-west rail link through London is expected in April. But last week Boris Johnson raised the threshold of businesses that have to pay from those with a rateable value of £50,000 to those with a value of £55,000 after complaints from businesses in the north and south of the city which said they would see little benefit from the scheme.

A spokesman for the Mayor’s office predicted 811 Merton businesses would now have to pay the levy - 69 less than would have paid under the old proposal. She also said the project would bring £14.3m of ‘economic benefits’ to the borough’s residents when it was up and running - although this is the third lowest figure in the capital.

Diana Sterck, chief executive of the Merton Chamber of Commerce, said: “Which businesses in this borough would benefit from it? If you’re a locally based business you’re paying for something that isn’t relevant to your location.”

Peter Pledger, chairman of pressure group South London Business, said a survey by his organisation revealed many of Merton’s enterprises predicted “serious financial difficulties” if they were hit by a rates increase.

A report on the survey said: “The majority of businesses felt the Crossrail link would provide little or no benefit to south London and will primarily benefit commuters.”

He added: “Some businesses indicated they would consider relocating out of south London if the increase in business rates affected the cost of premises in the area too much.”

Critics have said parts of Essex and Berkshire which the line is set to pass through, but which are not currently expected to pay for it, should be charged instead.