Walton MP Peter Kilfoyle added: "Any system in this small, crowded island with its transport problems should be considered on its merits. "But there are things that need to be considered, such as price, feasibility and deliverability. The figures would have to be weighed up carefully by transport experts and the Treasury." The Rail Passenger Council, which represents train passengers, has also backed the scheme. A spokeswoman said: "It sounds like a fantastic development and would play a large part in making things like rail more attractive and more competitive with airlines. "The obvious question is the finance and it would have to be affordable. But passengers would welcome any new addition." Highlights * Ultraspeed estimates that it could carry 40m passengers a year on its system. * Services between major cities could run every 10 minutes. * The first phase could take less than two years to build - Shanghai's system was built in 22 months. * A sizeable Maglev system could be in place by the end of the decade. * An average single fare between Liverpool and London could be £25. On track for success THE Maglev train system was developed by the German Transrapid company and already operates in Liverpool's Chinese twin city of Shanghai. Since the Shanghai train began running in December 2003, it has been late for a total of just 39 seconds. It runs on an elevated guideway, taking up a fraction of the land a railway or motorway would need, and is also claimed to be very safe. Only the stretch of track that the vehicle is on at the time receives power and the system can also sense faults such sa obstructions on the line. The technology is built into the track so this acts as the motor with the signalling, driving and guidance system being controlled remotely from a separate nerve centre. 'The amazing speed could prove a problem for trainspotters' >>> | 
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