Virgin Group, owned by billionaire Richard Branson, announced that there are no further major obstacles to begin operating passenger trains through the Channel tunnel, following a decision by the rail regulator. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) stated that some capacity at Eurostar’s Temple Mills maintenance depot in north-east London can be made available to other operators. The availability of a suitable depot for maintaining and storing trains has been identified as crucial for competition with Eurostar.
Virgin plans to start rail services connecting the UK capital with Paris and Brussels and also aims to run trains to Amsterdam. The company previously operated intercity trains in Britain, including the London to Glasgow route. It has been reported that Virgin plans to raise £700 million to fund its cross-channel train ambitions.
The ORR made its statement after receiving an independent report it commissioned to investigate the matter. The regulator stated that the London depot would be able to accommodate additional trains if required and would need changes to operational and maintenance arrangements to access extra capacity. Eurostar currently holds a monopoly on running passenger services through the Channel tunnel, which opened in 1994.
Virgin Group expressed its pleasure with the outcome, stating that there are no more major hurdles to overcome. The company expects to make an announcement soon. Other companies, including Gemini Trains and which sees former Labour peer Tony Berkeley as the chair and Spanish startup Evolyn, are also interested in running trains through the tunnel.
The government is planning to overhaul the rail sector, with Network Rail’s boss, Andrew Haines, announcing his retirement amid this overhaul. Haines will leave the company in October after serving in the role for seven years. Great British Railways, a new state-owned company, will take over Network Rail’s functions. The government is consulting on railway policies to be included in the forthcoming railways bill.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/mar/31/virgin-no-more-major-hurdles-running-cross-channel-trains
