IFRAME: https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-N9RMBBF Subscribe now Login * Subscribe Now * Login * Please wait.... * * News + UK + World + US + UK Politics + Brexit + Tech + Science + Education + Environment + Health + Business + InFact * Politics + Brexit + Conservatives + Labour + Lib Dems + SNP + Green Party + DUP + Boris Johnson + Jeremy Corbyn + US Politics * Voices + Editorials + Shappi Khorsandi + Mary Dejevsky + Robert Fisk + Mark Steel + Janet Street-Porter + Chuka Umunna + John Rentoul + Jenny Éclair + Matthew Norman + Sean O'Grady + Tom Peck * Sport + Football + Rugby union + Cricket + F1 + Boxing + Tennis + Cycling + Golf + Miguel Delaney + Podcast + US sports * Culture + Film + Music + TV & radio + Books + Art + Photography + Theatre & dance + Streaming Hub + Geoffrey Macnab + Clarisse Loughrey + Ed Cumming + Crosswords & puzzles * Video * Indy/Life + Travel + Women + Fashion & beauty + Food & drink + Dating & relationships + Health & fitness + Tech + Money + Design & home + Motoring * IndyBest + Christmas + Home & garden + Kids + Books + Travel & outdoors + Fashion & beauty + Food & drink + Tech + Sports & fitness * Long Reads * indy100 * Vouchers + TUI + Groupon + Argos + Hyperoptic + Just Eat + Currys + Nike + Travelodge + National Trust + boohoo * Premium + Chris Blackhurst + Hamish McRae + Janet Street-Porter + Mary Dejevsky + Matthew Norman + Jenny Éclair * 20 Pledges * Please wait.... * + UK Edition + US Edition Subscribe Now Subscribe Now * News + UK + World + US + Politics + Brexit + Tech + Science + Education + Environment + Health + Business + InFact + Long reads * Politics + Brexit + Conservatives + Labour + Lib Dems + SNP + Green Party + DUP + Boris Johnson + Jeremy Corbyn + US Politics * Voices + Editorials + Shappi Khorsandi + Mary Dejevsky + Robert Fisk + Mark Steel + Janet Street-Porter + Chuka Ummuna + John Rentoul + Jenny Éclair + Matthew Norman + Sean O'Grady + Tom Peck * Sport + Football + Rugby union + Cricket + F1 + Boxing + Tennis + Cycling + Golf + Miguel Delaney + Podcast + US sports * Culture + Film + Music + TV & radio + Books + Art + Photography + Theatre & dance + Streaming Hub + Geoffrey Macnab + Clarisse Loughrey + Ed Cumming + Crosswords & puzzles * Indy/life + Travel + Fashion & beauty + Food & drink + Health & fitness + Dating & Relationships + Tech o iPhone o Tech news o Tech culture o Gaming o Cryptocurrency + Motoring + Women * Video * IndyBest + Christmas + Sports & Fitness + Home & Garden + Kids + Books + Fashion & Beauty + Food & Drink + Travel & Outdoors + Tech * Money + Mortgages + Loans + Savings + Pensions + Money transfers + Health insurance + Money Deals * indy100 * Voucher Codes + TUI + Groupon + Argos + Hyperoptic + Just Eat + Currys + Nike + Travelodge + National Trust + boohoo * Premium + Subscription offers + Independent Premium app + Daily Edition app + Chris Blackhurst + Hamish McRae + Janet Street-Porter + Mary Dejevsky + Matthew Norman + Jenny Éclair * 20 Pledges * UK Edition + UK Edition + US Edition Please wait.... Log in using your social network account OR Log in directly with The Independent {{message}} ____________________ Please enter an email address Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address ____________________ Please enter a valid password [ ] Keep me logged in (BUTTON) Submit Forgotten your password? Want an ad-free experience? Subscribe to Independent Premium. View offers Hi {{fullName}} * My Independent Premium * Account details * Help centre * Logout (BUTTON) Close Richard Branson says Britain needs 700mph hyperloop trains As Virgin Hyperloop One takes shape, transport think tank calls for UK-wide conventional high-speed network * Simon Calder Travel Correspondent * Tuesday 29 May 2018 00:22 {{^moreThanTen}} * {{total}} comments {{/moreThanTen}} * The debate on high-speed rail is accelerating, with proponents of competing schemes insisting they have the best solution for the UK. Sir Richard Branson has laid out plans for a “hyperloop” network across Britain, carrying passengers at nearly 700mph. The system proposed by the Virgin founder involves pods travelling over an electro-magnetic track enclosed in a low-resistance tube with very low air pressure. Download the new Indpendent Premium app Sharing the full story, not just the headlines (BUTTON) Download now Read more * London to Scotland 'will take 45 minutes' with ultra-fast Hyperloop ​Virgin Hyperloop One is intended to have a top speed of 670mph, with some other developers promising even higher speeds. His firm has built a 500-metre test track in Nevada, and is working on a hyperloop connecting Mumbai and Pune in India. The Virgin founder told BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours programme: “Most definitely it could be built in the UK, and it would end up transporting people far quicker, in far greater numbers, with far greater convenience than any other train network in the UK. “The cost of building Virgin Hyperloop would be, I think, about a third of building high-speed rail, and much, much quicker. “It can either be underground, it can be on the ground or it can be above the ground.” Sir Richard said that Heathrow Airport could be connected with Gatwick and Stansted in six and 10 minutes respectively. “Effectively, it becomes one airport,” he said. “It will be the future of one big, important part of travel.” Read more * Hyperloop: The 1,000 kph race to realize Elon Musk’s improbable dream * Virgin to build super-fast Hyperloop shuttle in India * Everything you need to know about HS2 The US entrepreneur Elon Musk has founded The Boring Company to construct a network of low-cost tunnels allowing travel from New York to Washington DC in less than 30 minutes. But Gareth Dennis, an engineer for an international design consultancy, believes that capacity and technical constraints mean hyperloop is not feasible. He tweeted: “Hyperloop is like building a motorway but only letting Rolls Royces use it. Hopeless.” Meanwhile the environmental transport think tank, Greengauge 21, has called for a conventional high-speed rail network connecting Britain by 2050. A new report, Beyond HS2, says that the move would put “rocket fuel in Britain’s economy”. It would also reduce the relative advantages of London by lowering journey times between other cities. While France, Spain, Germany and Italy have extensive high-speed networks, Britain’s only such line is High Speed 1, connecting London with the Channel Tunnel. High Speed 2, a £56bn, 250mph line connecting London with Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds, is planned to open in sections from 2026. But Greengauge 21 is calling for the same trains to be operated on a new fast corridor from Birmingham to Bristol. In addition, Edinburgh and London should be brought within three hours and 15 minutes, about an hour quicker than at present, with improvements to the East Coast main line. High-speed tracks are also needed across the Pennines, connecting Liverpool and Manchester with Sheffield, Leeds, Newcastle and Hull, says the report. Created with Sketch. LA to San Francisco in 30 minutes: Paypal founder Elon Musk unveils 800mph Hyperloop 'trains' Show all 6 Created with Sketch. Created with Sketch. (BUTTON) Created with Sketch. LA to San Francisco in 30 minutes: Paypal founder Elon Musk unveils 800mph Hyperloop 'trains' 1/6 hyperloop.jpg Hyperloop tubes would be mounted above ground on columns, and inside them would be pods five miles apart leaving every 30 seconds 2/6 hyperloop-2.jpg A sketch of billionaire Elon Musk's proposed "Hyperloop" transport system Reuters 3/6 hyperloop-3.jpg A sketch of billionaire U.S. entrepreneur Elon Musk's proposed "Hyperloop" transport system Reuters 4/6 hyperloop-4.jpg Streamlines for capsule traveling at high subsonic velocities inside Hyperloop spacex.com 5/6 hyperloop-5.jpg An image of the Hyperloop passenger capsule with doors open at the station spacex.com 6/6 hyperloop-6.jpg Hyperloop capsule in tube cutaway with attached solar arrays spacex.com 1/6 hyperloop.jpg Hyperloop tubes would be mounted above ground on columns, and inside them would be pods five miles apart leaving every 30 seconds 2/6 hyperloop-2.jpg A sketch of billionaire Elon Musk's proposed "Hyperloop" transport system Reuters 3/6 hyperloop-3.jpg A sketch of billionaire U.S. entrepreneur Elon Musk's proposed "Hyperloop" transport system Reuters 4/6 hyperloop-4.jpg Streamlines for capsule traveling at high subsonic velocities inside Hyperloop spacex.com 5/6 hyperloop-5.jpg An image of the Hyperloop passenger capsule with doors open at the station spacex.com 6/6 hyperloop-6.jpg Hyperloop capsule in tube cutaway with attached solar arrays spacex.com Jim Steer, founder and director of Greengauge 21, said: “Fundamentally, we need to completely re-orientate the railway from a ‘hub-and-spoke’ centred on London to a fully national network. “Britain lacks a long-term national railway strategy beyond HS2. “We need a plan to put rocket fuel into our economic productivity and today’s report sets out proposals to do so. “It is vital for the future of the country that no region is left behind, and the national railway strategy needs to reach all parts of the country.” More about High Speed 2 | Virgin Hyperloop One | Sir Richard Branson | Elon Musk | Show{{#moreThan3_total}} {{value_total}} {{/moreThan3_total}} comments INDY/GO newsletter Time to Travel! ____________________ Enter your email address (BUTTON) Continue (BUTTON) Continue Please enter an email address Email address is invalid Fill out this field Email address is invalid Email already exists. Log in to update your newsletter preferences Register with your social account or click here to log in receiveIndyTravelNew [ ] I would like to receive news on where to go and what to know, every Saturday by email Update newsletter preferences Comments Share your thoughts and debate the big issues Learn more (BUTTON) {{#singleComment_p}}{{value_p}} Independent Premium comment{{/singleComment_p}}{{^singleComment_p}}{{value_p}} Independent Premium comments{{/singleComment_p}} (BUTTON) {{#singleComment_open}}{{value}} open comment{{/singleComment_open}}{{^singleComment_open}}{{value}} open comments{{/singleComment_open}} Open Comments Join the discussion (BUTTON) Please be respectful when making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines. * You may not agree with our views, or other users’, but please respond to them respectfully * Swearing, personal abuse, racism, sexism, homophobia and other discriminatory or inciteful language is not acceptable * Do not impersonate other users or reveal private information about third parties * We reserve the right to delete inappropriate posts and ban offending users without notification You can find our Community Guidelines in full here. Create a commenting name to join the debate ____________________ (BUTTON) Submit Please try again, the name must be unique Only letters and numbers accepted ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ (BUTTON) Post (BUTTON) {{#moreThanOne}} * Newest first * Oldest first * Most liked {{/moreThanOne}} Loading comments... {{^comments}} There are no comments yet - be the first to add your thoughts {{/comments}} {{#comments}} {{sender.name}} {{dateTime}} {{{commentText}}} Reply {{#sender.isSelf}} Delete {{/sender.isSelf}} (BUTTON) {{posVotes}} (BUTTON) {{negVotes}} {{#replies}} {{sender.name}} {{dateTime}} {{{commentText}}} Reply {{#sender.isSelf}} Delete {{/sender.isSelf}} (BUTTON) {{posVotes}} (BUTTON) {{negVotes}} {{#replies}} {{sender.name}} {{dateTime}} {{{commentText}}} {{#sender.isSelf}} Delete {{/sender.isSelf}} (BUTTON) {{posVotes}} (BUTTON) {{negVotes}} {{/replies}} {{/replies}} {{/comments}} Loading comments... {{^comments}} There are no comments yet - be the first to add your thoughts {{/comments}} {{#comments}} {{sender.name}} {{dateTime}} {{{commentText}}} Reply {{#sender.isSelf}} Delete {{/sender.isSelf}} (BUTTON) {{posVotes}} (BUTTON) {{negVotes}} Create a commenting name to join the debate ____________________ (BUTTON) Submit Please try again, the name must be unique ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ (BUTTON) Cancel (BUTTON) Post (BUTTON) {{#replies}} {{sender.name}} {{dateTime}} {{{commentText}}} Reply {{#sender.isSelf}} Delete {{/sender.isSelf}} (BUTTON) {{posVotes}} (BUTTON) {{negVotes}} Create a commenting name to join the debate ____________________ (BUTTON) Submit Please try again, the name must be unique ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ (BUTTON) Cancel (BUTTON) Post (BUTTON) {{#replies}} {{sender.name}} {{dateTime}} {{{commentText}}} {{#sender.isSelf}} Delete {{/sender.isSelf}} (BUTTON) {{posVotes}} (BUTTON) {{negVotes}} {{/replies}} {{/replies}} {{/comments}} {{#showMore}} (BUTTON) Read more {{/showMore}} Minds Comments Join the discussion (BUTTON) Please be respectful when making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines. * You may not agree with our views, or other users’, but please respond to them respectfully * Swearing, personal abuse, racism, sexism, homophobia and other discriminatory or inciteful language is not acceptable * Do not impersonate other users or reveal private information about third parties * We reserve the right to delete inappropriate posts and ban offending users without notification You can find our Community Guidelines in full here. {{^nickname}} Create a commenting name to join the debate ____________________ (BUTTON) Submit Please try again, the name must be unique {{/nickname}} ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ (BUTTON) Post (BUTTON) {{#moreThanOne_p}} * Newest first * Oldest first * Most liked {{/moreThanOne_p}} Loading comments... {{^comments}} There are no Independent Premium comments yet - be the first to add your thoughts {{/comments}} {{#comments}} {{sender.name}} {{dateTime}} {{{commentText}}} Reply {{#sender.isSelf}} Delete {{/sender.isSelf}} (BUTTON) {{posVotes}} (BUTTON) {{negVotes}} {{#replies}} {{sender.name}} {{dateTime}} {{{commentText}}} Reply {{#sender.isSelf}} Delete {{/sender.isSelf}} (BUTTON) {{posVotes}} (BUTTON) {{negVotes}} {{#replies}} {{sender.name}} {{dateTime}} {{{commentText}}} {{#sender.isSelf}} Delete {{/sender.isSelf}} (BUTTON) {{posVotes}} (BUTTON) {{negVotes}} {{/replies}} {{/replies}} {{/comments}} Loading comments... {{^comments}} There are no Independent Premium comments yet - be the first to add your thoughts {{/comments}} {{#comments}} {{sender.name}} {{dateTime}} {{{commentText}}} Reply {{#sender.isSelf}} Delete {{/sender.isSelf}} (BUTTON) {{posVotes}} (BUTTON) {{negVotes}} Create a commenting name to join the debate ____________________ (BUTTON) Submit Please try again, the name must be unique ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ (BUTTON) Cancel (BUTTON) (BUTTON) Post {{#replies}} {{sender.name}} {{dateTime}} {{{commentText}}} Reply {{#sender.isSelf}} Delete {{/sender.isSelf}} (BUTTON) {{posVotes}} (BUTTON) {{negVotes}} Create a commenting name to join the debate ____________________ (BUTTON) Submit Please try again, the name must be unique ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ (BUTTON) Cancel (BUTTON) (BUTTON) Post {{#replies}} {{sender.name}} {{dateTime}} {{{commentText}}} {{#sender.isSelf}} Delete {{/sender.isSelf}} (BUTTON) {{posVotes}} (BUTTON) {{negVotes}} {{/replies}} {{/replies}} {{/comments}} {{#showMore_p}} (BUTTON) Read more {{/showMore_p}} (BUTTON) Follow comments Enter your email to follow new comments on this article. ____________________ (BUTTON) Subscribe Thanks for subscribing! {{errorMessage}} (BUTTON) Vote Are you sure you want to submit this vote? (BUTTON) Submit vote (BUTTON) Cancel You must be logged in to vote. (BUTTON) Report Comment Are you sure you want to mark this comment as inappropriate? (BUTTON) Cancel (BUTTON) Flag comment This comment has been flagged. (BUTTON) Subscribe to Independent Premium to debate the big issues Want to discuss real-world problems, be involved in the most engaging discussions and hear from the journalists? Start your Independent Premium subscription today. (BUTTON) Subscribe Already registered? Log in (BUTTON) Report Comment Are you sure you want to mark this comment as inappropriate? (BUTTON) Flag comment (BUTTON) Cancel This comment has been flagged. (BUTTON) Delete Comment Are you sure you want to delete this comment? (BUTTON) Cancel (BUTTON) Delete comment Deleting comment... This comment has been deleted. This comment has been deleted. (BUTTON) About The Independent commenting Independent Premium Comments can be posted by members of our membership scheme, Independent Premium. It allows our most engaged readers to debate the big issues, share their own experiences, discuss real-world solutions, and more. Our journalists will try to respond by joining the threads when they can to create a true meeting of independent Premium. The most insightful comments on all subjects will be published daily in dedicated articles. You can also choose to be emailed when someone replies to your comment. The existing Open Comments threads will continue to exist for those who do not subscribe to Independent Premium. Due to the sheer scale of this comment community, we are not able to give each post the same level of attention, but we have preserved this area in the interests of open debate. Please continue to respect all commenters and create constructive debates. (BUTTON) Subscribe Already registered? Log in Sponsored features {{title}} * Get in touch + Contact us + Jobs + * Our products + Subscriptions + Install our apps + Archive * Other publications + Evening Standard + Novaya Gazeta * Extras + All topics + Voucher codes + Advertising guide + Syndication * Legal + Code of conduct and complaints + Contributors + Cookie policy + Privacy notice + User policies [unip?en=page_view]