Virgin Approved to Move Ahead with Cross-Channel Service Plans

The Office of Rail and Road has officially approved Virgin Trains’ application for access to Temple Mills International Depot, marking the first step in the operator’s journey toward cross-channel services.

The decision will enable Virgin’s plans for 700 million GBP worth of investment in new services between the UK and Europe via the channel tunnel, introducing competition on the line for the very first time – with services expected to begin running from 2030.

With access to Temple Mills; Virgin has now secured a capacity to carry out any light maintenance needed to run international services and begin the procurement of rolling stock, with the operator having recently announced intentions to utilise a fleet of 12 Avelia Stream trains from Alstom.

Virgin has also confirmed that funding consortium, Equitix, will fund the purchase of all rolling stock.

Sir Richard Branson, Founder of the Virgin Group, said:

The ORR’s decision is the right one for consumers – it’s time to end this 30-year monopoly and bring some Virgin magic to the cross-Channel route.

Virgin is no stranger to delivering award-winning rail services, and just as we have successfully challenged incumbents in air, cruise and rail, we’re ready to do it again. We’re going to shake-up the cross-Channel route for good and give consumers the choice they deserve.

In addition to Virgin’s approval, the Office of Rail and Road has also rejected applications for access from Evolyn, Gemini and Trenitalia. The regulator stated that Virgin Trains has the strongest possibility of making the best use of capacity at the Depot, with the operator’s plans appearing more financially and operationally robust.

Martin Jones, Deputy Director, Access and International, said:

With this decision we are backing customer choice and competition in international rail, unlocking up to 700 million GBP in private sector investment and stimulating growth.

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.

The regulator’s decision pertains only to the access to the Temple Mills depot and does not mandate any specific services or service changes from Virgin Trains.

In order for Virgin to begin running rail services, the operator must now enter into a commercial agreement with Eurostar and secure finance, access to track and stations and a number of safety approvals from the ORR, as well as EU authorities.

Last week, Eurostar unveiled intentions to begin operating a fleet of double-decker trains along the line, which has been met with a mixed industry response.