Is travelling from London to Birmingham by train in just 30 minutes another piece in the puzzle of tackling climate change? Tory boy George Osbourne seems to think so.
Heading off on a fact-finding mission to Japan tomorrow (1st September), Shadow Chancellor, George Osbourne, will take a test ride on a prototype maglev train that is capable of traveling at speed in excess of 360mph (580kmh).
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today program this morning, the MP for Tatton waxed lyrical about not only the colossal speed at which magnetic levitation trains can travel at but also their seemingly low impact on the environment both in their reduced CO2 emissions and the fact they could feasibly eliminate domestic air travel.
“Our leading competitors in the global economy are investing in this technology, developing this technology and running this technology. Why do we think Britain shouldn’t have this technology as well?” proposed Mr Osbourne.
Dr Alan James, Chief Executive of UK Ultra Speed – a consultancy group making the case for maglev trains, said that a high-speed rail network, like the one currently running from Shanghai Airport to the city centre (pictured), “empower Britain’s economy and enhance Britain’s environment.”
Armed with a arsenal of facts and figures, Mr James added that a maglev traveling from London to Manchester with 1,200 passengers would take only 45 minutes. The journey would emit 40 grams of CO2 per passenger compared to 275 grams for air travelers and 60 grams for high-speed “best practice” European trains.
In addition, Mr James said that a maglev traveling at 250mph (400kmh) is considerably quieter than a suburban train at 80mph (128mph) and the track, usually built above ground on a monorail, takes up 45 times less land than a motorway and has 1,000 times more transport capacity.
Could commuting from Leeds to London every day be the future? Watch this space.
Click here to see how a maglev works