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Blair vow on 45min London rail link


28/ 2/2005

TONY Blair says the government is ready to look at the viability of a 300mph hovering train service which could take passengers from London to Manchester in 45 minutes.

In a letter to a north west Labour MP, the Prime Minister has confirmed that the government would consider magnetic levitation technology, known as maglev, for a potential north-south high speed line.

Transport Secretary Alistair Darling recently announced that the government was looking at the possibility as a way to solve capacity problems and improve connections with the capital from the north.

In the letter to Cumbrian MP Dr Jack Cunningham, who has been campaigning for a high-speed rail link, Mr Blair writes: "We are ready to look at Maglev's potential alongside more conventional high speed technologies in the work going forward."

Magnets

The announcement comes after UK Ultraspeed, the company wanting to develop the scheme, gave a presentation to the Prime Minister last year on a proposed 300mph network linking major British cities.

As reported in the M.E.N. last week, the friction-free system can reach 311mph. Ultraspeed says it would not be affected by problems that can paralyse present tracks, like leaves on the line and wear and tear.

When two magnets are placed opposite, they push away from each other. So because the guided pathway is magnetic and the train is also fitted with magnets, it levitates.

Instead of using an engine to power the train, electrified coils in the guideway walls and track also push against each other to create a magnetic field, propelling the train.

The technology is already used on the 267mph Transrapid system in Shanghai, which Chancellor Gordon Brown tested during his visit to China last week, fuelling speculation that the government is willing to take a serious look at the system.

Dr Alan James, project leader of UK Ultraspeed said: "We welcome the opportunity to demonstrate the environmental, economic and social benefits of maglev as well as planning a world- beating 300mph system for Britain.

"UK Ultraspeed will use the German Transrapid system, the only ultra-high speed maglev in daily commercial service anywhere in the world."

It is estimated that the line would cost around '30bn to build, partly financed by the private sector with an estimated '9bn picked up by taxpayers.

The Transport Department is refusing to be drawn on when a decision about a high speed line might be made. A spokeswoman said Maglev was "just one option" that would be considered if plans go ahead.


| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(4)


Most recent 2 of 4 user comments

   If the levitating train is to cost B#(30-50) billion and if that were to be repaid at 3.5% over 30 years and if maintenance costs 7.5% of the capital then the annual bill would be in the range B#3.9bn to B#6.4bn. B#6.4bn is equivalent to the wages of 6400 men for 40 years. (B#50bn is equivalent to the lifetime wages of 50,000 men). None of that could ever be paid from fares since rail systems, levitating or otherwise, never even cover their operating costs. Instead it would be the taxpayer who would pay. For those reasons let us hope that the nation's wealth is not to be wasted on studies to do with levitating trains let alone building them just because our dear Chancellor, Gordon Brown, has seen Levitation in China. Meanwhile it appears we cannot afford the relatively trivial sums necessary to compensate those who have been cheated out of their pensions. Is it not time we stopped playing with toys and sorted our priorities out?
Paul F Withrington Director Tranasort-Watch, Northampton
1/03/2005 at 09:27

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   I think that bringing this system to the UK is a brilliant idea, it negates all the undesirable traits of conventional rail systems. By having a grade seperated system, the chances of problems caused by other forms of transport are nil.
Chris Marlin, NE Scotland
28/02/2005 at 19:05

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