Work on a new high speed rail line connecting France and Italy is progressing at pace. The Turin-Lyon line is part of the TEN-T network’s Mediterranean Corridor, connecting the Iberian Peninsula to Eastern Europe.

It will run for 270 kilometres (168 miles), of which 70% is in France and 30% is in Italy. The ambitious undertaking will include an international section crossing the Alps via the Moncenisio base tunnel. The double-barrel, single-track tunnel will be 35.7 miles long, of which 27.9 is in France and 7.7 in Italy.

Once completed it will be the longest railway tunnel ever built, as well as being one of the most impressive infrastructure works in Europe.

However, the tunnel’s construction has provoked fierce criticism from conservation groups, worried about the environmental impact.

CIPRA France and Mountain Wilderness issued a statement in 2023, saying: “The mountains are not Swiss cheese. There is a need to reduce traffic and manage traffic flows across the Alps.”

They added: “We must reduce the volume of traffic, not expand it, and manage the transport capacities on the Alpine transit routes together, in a network that combines rail and road. Anything else is an ineffective shift of the problem from one Alpine corridor to the next.”

With a maximum gradient of 12.5% and an elevation of 580 metres, the new line will be significantly more efficient than the existing one, allowing trains to reach speeds of up to 140 miles per hour.

The total construction costs are estimated at €25 billion (£22bn), with the international section costing €8 billion (£7bn).

The project is receiving EU funding, with Brussels covering 40% of the tunnel costs – a figure that could yet rise to 55%.

The tunnel should be completed by 2032, and will help slash travel times between the two major European cities from four to two hours.

In total the new line will feature a whopping 102 miles of tunnels running under the Western Alps, as well as two brand new international railway stations.

These cities are celebrated for their breathtaking beauty, vibrant culture, and unforgettable experiences. And yes, London, a capital city beloved by many, didn’t make the top 11, coming in 17th position in the ranking. 

Even Paris, often assumed to claim a top spot, didn’t break into the top three, proving that the world’s most stunning cities can sometimes surprise us. From busy capitals brimming with art and history to hidden gems tucked away in nature, these cities will have you booking your next trip before you finish reading.

Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a solo adventure, or a family vacation, this list showcases cities that are simply impossible to forget. Travel + Leisure magazine named the 25 most beautiful cities in the world, and here are the first 11 cities that made the cut.

An astronomically fast train being developed could hypothetically see passengers journey from London to Edinburgh in just an hour. The L0 Series, a train built and designed in Japan, is an electric train that can go up to 375mph. That makes it the fastest in the world. Currently in testing, the remarkable machine uses Maglev technology to propel itself along.

Maglev works by magnetically levitating the train above the rails and then using another electric motor for forward movement. The trains effectively float through the air using the power of magnets and electricity, allowing them to achieve tremendous speeds.

The L0 series is no different with Top Gear reporting that once in commercial service it will hope to cruise at around 311mph, allowing it to go from Tokyo to Osaka in around an hour.

If the L0 Series was installed, this would mean a travel time from London to Cornwall’s Penzance in just under an hour. It will take the same time to reach Edinburgh from the capital. The current journey time between the iconic UK destinations is currently just under five hours.

And it’s not the only incredible feat achieved by the L0 Series. Back in April 2015, it managed to travel a jaw-dropping 2,525 miles in a single day. That’s the equivalent of travelling from London to one of Europe’s most easterly cities – Sulina in Romania – and back again.

Unsurprisingly, such an impressive fet of engineering isn’t coming cheap. The project has been delayed by eight years due to spiralling costs, totalling a jaw-dropping £52billion.

The Chuo Shinkansen line that will carry the train will run between Tokyo and Nagoya.

“The maglev has been plagued by difficulties excavating tunnels needed to accommodate the train’s high speeds”, reported The Asahi Shimbun.

The project consists of around 85% tunnels, according to a board member of the company behind the project.

JR Central’s board approved the revised budget on October 29, though the company stressed that the 2035 target remains provisional.

Back in the UK, the government have announced the return of Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) which will see trains deliver faster journeys between cities in the north.

This means people will be able to travel between the likes of Leeds, York, Bradford, Sheffield, Liverpool, Manchester, and back faster than before.

An initial £1.1bn has been put aside for preparation and design, with the first construction work not expected to start until 2030 with the scheme seeing £45bn worth of upgrades, including a new train station at Bradford alongside upgrades to multiple stations.