They said they would press ahead with feasibility work on three major rail project options, including rail links using 300mph Maglev magnetic levitation technology.

The Tory options also include the construction of a high-speed rail network in the UK similar to that in France, where ultra-fast TGV trains run.

The third plan they are keen to promote is the development of a new dedicated freight route to link ports, the Channel Tunnel and major business centres.

The Institution of Civil Engineers recently said that using Maglev trains in the UK would be inappropriate and irresponsible.

In September this year, a Maglev train travelling at 125mph crashed in Germany killing more than 20 people.

Sir Rod Eddington, former British Airways chief executive, said in his report on transport requirements delivered earlier this month that a new north-south high-speed rail link was a low priority.

The Conservatives said that the options on which detailed feasibility work will be carried include the construction of a conventional high-speed rail network using TGV-type trains running on traditional rails. This would probably initially involve extending the existing Channel Tunnel Rail Link northwards. Typical trains of this kind run at around 180 miles per hour.

It also includes the construction of ultra-high speed inter-city rail links using Maglev technology and the development of a new dedicated freight route, possibly using derelict or under-used rail corridors.

The work will focus in particular on costs, commercial potential, the impact of the developments and their ability to lure traffic off the roads.

See also:

Tories to plan for 300mph trains

BBC News: 28 December 2006

The Maglev train is operating in China
The Conservatives are to look at the possibility of introducing 300mph magnetic levitation trains to the UK.

The party said it would also study whether high-speed rail links like those in France were feasible.

Shadow transport secretary Chris Grayling said it was important to develop new technology to "help our battle against global warming".

He also said a dedicated freight route between ports, the Channel Tunnel and business centres would be examined.

Crash

The Tories said it was discussing options with other groups, including the high speed rail panel of the Institution of Civil Engineers to provide an independent assessment of the options.

Last month the Institution of Civil Engineers said that spending public money on introducing Maglev magnetic levitation trains in the UK would be "inappropriate and irresponsible" as it was "not yet a mature technology".

In September, one of the trains, travelling at 125mph, crashed in Germany, killing 23 people.

And Sir Rod Eddington, a former British Airways chief executive, said in his report on transport requirements this month that a new north-south high-speed rail link was a low priority.

The Conservative Party said it would look into constructing:

# A conventional high-speed rail network using TGV-type trains (like those in France) running on traditional rails. This would probably initially involve extending the existing Channel Tunnel Rail Link northwards

# An ultra-high speed inter-city rail links using Maglev technology

# The development of a new dedicated freight route, possibly using derelict or under-used rail corridors

'Big headache'

Mr Grayling said: "Transport is one of Britain's big headaches.

"In the immediate future, we have to start making a difference to Britain's congestion problems quickly.

"So our focus in government would initially be on 'quick wins' - projects that can start to change things in a relatively short period of time.

"We believe that the right mix of smaller projects, for example longer trains, improvements to individual bottlenecks on the roads, making improvements to transport interchanges, represents the best way to start making a difference quickly."

He added: "Any of the three options we are looking at would be expensive, and would probably need to be developed in phases in the way our motorway network was.

"But we would not be doing our job properly if we were not looking at the longer term as well as short- term challenges."

See also:

Tories back high-speed rail lines

Politics.co.uk: 28 Dec 2006

MagLev trains are among the projects being considered by the Tories
The Conservatives are backing detailed studies into three major potential rail projects, including the Maglev 'levitating' train and a high-speed north-south rail line.

Shadow transport secretary Chris Grayling said that although he accepted the need for short-term projects, such as cutting congestion on certain roads, Britain's long-term transport needs may require some new major infrastructure projects.

The party has commissioned feasibility work into three schemes, the first of which would be the construction of a French TGV-style high-speed rail network running from London to Scotland, carrying trains travelling at about 180 miles per hour.

Another option could be the MagLev trains, where carriages float on a magnetic field above the tracks and are propelled by changing the field's charge. In August, shadow chancellor George Osborne went to Japan to see the results of a three-year trial there.

A third study will also look into the development of a new dedicated freight route, possibly using derelict or under-used existing rail corridors, to link ports, the Channel Tunnel and Britain's major business centres.

A recent government-commissioned report on Britain's future transport needs was unenthusiastic about the benefits of high-speed rail links, and said the government would be better to invest in small-scale improvements.

Rod Eddington's year-long study concluded: "New high-speed rail networks in the UK would not significantly change the level of economic connectivity between most parts of the UK, given existing aviation and rail links."

The report acknowledged that such networks could ease congestion between cities and in London, with "real and substantial" benefits, but warned: "Crucially though, these goals could be achieved by other solutions, and perhaps at much lower cost."

Today Mr Grayling said the Tories supported quick-fix measures to deal with Britain's congestion problems, including putting in longer trains, improving bottlenecks on individual roads and making improvements to transport interchanges.

However, he warned: "Beyond that we will need to bring forward longer term projects to tackle the capacity constraints that are hindering both economic development and the kind of modal shift that will be needed to help our battle against global warming."

He said: "Any of the three options we are looking at would be expensive, and would probably need to be developed in phases in the way our motorway network was.

"But we would not be doing our job properly if we were not looking at the longer term as well as short-term challenges."