Virgin Trains has received approval from the Office of Rail and Road to utilize Eurostar’s train depot in east London, allowing the company to introduce international services via the Channel Tunnel. This decision marks the end of Eurostar’s long-standing monopoly on Channel services, which began in 1994. The ORR has granted Virgin Group access to the Temple Mills site for train maintenance and storage.
While Virgin Group has not operated trains in the UK since the expiration of its contract for the West Coast Main Line in December 2019, the ORR has turned down the company’s application to provide access services on that line, serving cities like London, Birmingham, Liverpool, and Manchester.
Martin Jones of the ORR expressed support for customer choice and competition in international rail, anticipating private sector investment of up to £700mn and stimulating growth. Virgin Group’s founder, Sir Richard Branson, welcomed the ORR’s decision, emphasizing the importance of ending the longstanding monopoly and introducing innovation to the cross-Channel route.
Rail minister Lord Hendy praised the ORR’s decision, highlighting the benefits it will bring to passengers in terms of choice, value, and connectivity enhancement. Plans are being considered to establish new depot capacity in the UK with private investment to support market needs and foster competition and growth.
Despite the Channel Tunnel operating at only 50% capacity, accommodating both Eurostar and LeShuttle trains between Folkestone and Calais, the ORR rejected applications from Evolyn, Gemini Trains, and Trenitalia to use the Temple Mills depot. Eurostar’s bid to utilize the site’s spare capacity for expansion was also unsuccessful.