Virgin Trains given boost to provide rival service to Eurostar
Company set to launch its own international rail routes by 2030
Eurostar currently has an effective monopoly on the route
Sergii Figurnyi/Shutterstock
Virgin Trains is now one step closer to challenging Eurostar on the London-Paris rail line after regulators in the UK approved the company’s request to use a vital train depot.
The UK Office of Rail and Road (ORR) gave the green light for Virgin Trains to store trains at the Eurostar’s Temple Mills depot in Leyton, London. It follows ORR approval earlier this year for Virgin Trains to use the site for maintenance and servicing.
Temple Mills is the only site in the UK that can accommodate trains used for cross-Channel services, which use a different loading gauge than standard UK trains.
By granting the request, the ORR has made viable a logistical step for Virgin Trains to operate services on the route in the coming years.
“The ORR's decision is the right one for consumers – it is time to end this 30-year monopoly and bring some Virgin magic to the cross-Channel route,” said head of the Virgin Group Richard Branson in a press release.
The company is looking for £700 million in funding to provide a rival service to Eurostar, and is hoping to launch its programme by 2030.
Alongside serving the same stations as Eurostar, Virgin reportedly wants to provide direct rail links to cities in Germany, Switzerland, and elsewhere in France.
A number of steps still need to be undertaken before Virgin Trains can launch a service. These include setting commercial agreements with Eurostar, approval to use stations along the route in both the UK and the EU, and adhering to health and safety standards.
The ORR estimates up to 400 new jobs could be created in the UK via the launch of a Virgin Trains international service.
Several other potential competitors?
The regulator previously said that the Temple Mills depot had enough space for either Eurostar to expand, or for a rival to store trains in the depot, but not for both.
However, several other potential competitors including Italian state-owned FS Italiane and Spanish company Evolyn want to run international rail services between Europe and the UK.
Previously, these two groups, alongside Eurostar, stated they would be willing to invest into an expanded Temple Mills depot to accommodate more trains, provided all groups contribute to funding the expansion.
Currently only Virgin Trains has been given approval to use Temple Mills alongside Eurostar.
Making full use of capacity
Increased traffic potential for the Channel Tunnel railway has been touted for some time, with several would-be competitors citing an interest in providing a challenge to Eurostar.
Tunnel owner Getlink has also expressed a desire to increase traffic, after recent improvements allowed for an increased number of potential services.
The ‘Chunnel’ has capacity to run double the number of trains currently scheduled by Eurostar, and for London St Pancras to accommodate an additional 5,000 passengers per hour than currently pass through the international terminal.
At the same time as rival companies look to establish themselves, Eurostar has also expressed an interest in expanding the number of trains it provides.
It is hoped that competition will lead to an increased number of trains, level of services and destinations from London, together with a fall in prices.
