Virgin to launch Eurostar challenger service in 2030
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has approved Virgin Trains’ application for access to Temple Mills International depot.
Access to Temple Mills is an important first step towards being able to operate cross-border train services using the Channel Tunnel for the train company that is planning to offer a competing service to Eurostar.
The ORR’s decision is expected to unlock plans for around £700 million of investment in new services and the creation of 400 new jobs, in a win for passengers, customer choice, and economic growth.
Virgin Trains can now be confident it will have access to the light maintenance facilities it needs to run its planned international services, the regulator said in an accompanying statement on Thursday (30 October).
ORR set out its decision to approve Virgin Trains’ application, and reject applications from Evolyn, Gemini and Trenitalia, in a decision letter published on the same day. Informed by independent analysis, and having also considered Eurostar’s growth plans, the regulator considers that Virgin Trains has the strongest prospects of making the best use of capacity at Temple Mills.
Overall, Virgin Trains’ plans were more financially and operationally robust than those of other applicants, and it provided clear evidence of investor backing and an agreement in principle to deliver the necessary and appropriate rolling stock, the regulator said.
The ORR said carefully weighed its legal duties to reach this decision, including considering the views of stakeholders and the economic benefits of the plans.
There are a number of steps before new international services will be able to run. Virgin Trains will now need to enter into a commercial agreement with Eurostar, as the operator of Temple Mills, and must secure finance, access to track and stations, and safety approvals from ORR and the relevant authorities in the EU. Virgin Trains plans to begin running services in 2030.
“With this decision we are backing customer choice and competition in international rail, unlocking up to £700 million in private sector investment and stimulating growth,” said Martin Jones, Deputy Director of Access and International.
“While there is still some way to go before the first new services can run, we stand ready to work with Virgin Trains as their plans develop.”
