Virgin Trains has been given the green light by the Office of Rail and Road to utilize Eurostar’s east London train facility, paving the way for potential international services through the Channel Tunnel.
This decision marks a significant shift as Eurostar’s long-standing monopoly on Channel services, dating back to 1994, is set to be challenged. The regulatory body granted permission for Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group to use the Temple Mills location for train maintenance and storage.
Having not been involved in UK train operations since the expiration of its West Coast Main Line contract in December 2019, Virgin Group saw its bid to run access services on key routes like London, Birmingham, Liverpool, and Manchester turned down by the ORR.
Martin Jones of the ORR expressed support for customer choice and competition in the international rail sector, emphasizing the potential for substantial private sector investment and growth. He highlighted the ongoing collaboration with Virgin Trains to advance their service plans.
Sir Richard Branson welcomed the ORR’s ruling, emphasizing the benefits it would bring to consumers and the opportunity to introduce innovation to the cross-Channel route.
Rail minister Lord Hendy praised the decision, stating it would enhance passenger options, affordability, and connectivity. Plans are in motion to establish additional depot capacity in the UK through private investment to fuel market demand and expansion.
Despite the Channel Tunnel’s underutilization at 50% capacity, the ORR rejected proposals from Evolyn, Gemini Trains, and Trenitalia to utilize the Temple Mills depot. Eurostar’s bid to leverage the site’s spare capacity for growth also faced rejection.
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