text: A vast underground network of pipes could be used to transport freight and deliveries in a bid to end road congestion and pollution. The government has approved funding for Cambridgeshire-based Mole Solutions to develop the idea as an alternative to the conventional systems of transporting goods by road. The plan, called the Mole Urban project, aims to reduce the level of road freight within urban areas by using freight pipelines carrying goods in capsules to edge of town consolidation centres, where they would be collected. Scroll down for video . One of the Mole Solutions capsules inside one of their pipelines at their testing site in Northampton . A graphic showing how the Mole Urban project would work by sending freight in underground pipes rather than on the road . The firm is now looking to see if the concept could be used within the town of Northampton and if results are positive, a pilot could see underground pipelines installed to transport goods. The development project is set to last nine months and if successful could be rolled out in other towns, although it is still a long way from fruition. The proposal, would see the driverless capsules propelled by a magnetic wave produced by linear induction motors. A track has already been constructed in Northampton to test the capsules with data being collected on commercial and environmental influences. However, the firm say that even irrespective of the final results for the test case, the process established in the project can be used to assess other locations that have major congestion and pollution problems caused by excess road usage. The development project is set to last nine months and if successful could be rolled out in other towns . Dr Roger Miles, head of Mole Solutions told the Independent: 'Clean water is taken into homes and dirty water is taken away and we never really see it, while huge amounts of oil and diesel are transported by pipes and underground. 'Now we want to do something similar with freight, delivering goods to buildings and taking away waste.' The concept has already had funding from the government and is also attracting support from private businesses too. The company is already one of several businesses that have attracted support from the Transport Systems Catapult, a government-funded centre set up to support innovation in transport. The Transport Systems Catapult is currently working with the UK Government and over 70 major multinationals on ‘Intelligent Mobility’ inventions with major market potential, including driverless cars, underground sensors and freight pipelines. The technology comes after Amazon announced they had been carrying out a secret research project which would see packages from the company delivered by drone. Amazon has approached the British Government about trialling its flying Amazon Prime Air service in the UK. One of its prototype delivery drones is pictured . In December 2013, the internet shopping giant’s chief executive Jeff Bezos says that he wants to use octocoptors to replace postmen and cut delivery times to just 30 minutes. Customers would have their order dropped onto their front lawn by the machine which would fly through the air from a nearby warehouse with it clasped in a metal grabber. And last month, it was reported that Amazon is said to have approached the British Government to launch a trial of the technology in Britain.
target: Mole Solutions is developing the idea as an alternative to road transport .
  Would see capsules loaded with goods sent in underground pipelines .
  A test track has already been built for a nine month development project .
  The project has approved some government funding from DEFRA .