Virgin to problem Eurostar because it wins bid to share practice terminal | EUROtoday

Virgin Trains will be capable to launch rail providers by the Channel Tunnel after the UK’s rail regulator accepted its software to share a depot with Eurostar.

The resolution by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) means Eurostar’s monopoly on passenger providers is about to be damaged for the primary time for the reason that tunnel opened in 1994.

Temple Mills railway storehouse in east London is the one depot within the UK in a position to accommodate the bigger trains utilized in continental Europe and which is already linked to the cross-Channel line.

The ORR had mentioned the depot had sufficient house to both home an expanded Eurostar fleet or accommodate a rival firm’s trains – however not each.

Martin Jones from the ORR mentioned: “With this decision we are backing customer choice and competition in international rail, unlocking up to £700mn in private sector investment and stimulating growth.

“While there’s nonetheless some technique to go earlier than the primary new providers can run, we stand able to work with Virgin Trains as their plans develop.”

Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, said: “The ORR’s resolution is the appropriate one for shoppers – it is time to finish this 30-year monopoly and produce some Virgin magic to the cross-Channel route.”

Several firms had wanted to start operating services between London and mainland Europe, including Spanish start-up Evolyn, Richard Branson’s Virgin and a partnership between Gemini Trains and Uber.

The ORR only approved Virgin’s application on Thursday and rejected applications from Evolyn, Gemini and Trenitalia.

Virgin said it planned to launch rail services from London St Pancras to Europe from 2030.

This will embody providers to Paris Gare du Nord, Brussels-Midi and Amsterdam Centraal, with future plans to broaden additional throughout France, and into Germany and Switzerland.