Virgin Trains has moved a significant step closer to breaking Eurostar’s long-standing monopoly on passenger rail services through the Channel Tunnel, after receiving approval to operate up to 20 daily return services between London and Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam from 2030.
Britain’s Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has pre-approved a track access agreement allowing Virgin Trains to use High Speed 1 (HS1), the high-speed railway connecting London St Pancras with the Channel Tunnel.
Under the agreement, Virgin will be permitted to operate up to 20 new daily return services from 1st October 2030 until the end of 2040.
Eurostar could face competition after three decades
The development represents one of the most significant challenges yet to Eurostar, which has been the sole passenger rail operator through the Channel Tunnel since services began in 1994.
Virgin’s proposed timetable would see 13 daily return services between London and Paris, four between London and Brussels and three between London and Amsterdam. The company has agreed a deal with French manufacturer Alstom for 12 Avelia Stream high-speed trains to operate the network.
The latest decision follows another major breakthrough for Virgin last year, when the ORR approved its application to use the Temple Mills International depot in east London. The facility, currently used by Eurostar, is the only maintenance depot directly accessible from HS1 and was considered critical to the viability of a competing cross-Channel operator.
The ORR has previously said Virgin’s plans could unlock up to £700 million in private investment.
More approvals still required
Despite the latest green light, Virgin is not yet cleared to begin carrying passengers through the Channel Tunnel. The company still needs to secure access to the tunnel itself and the relevant rail networks in France, Belgium and the Netherlands. It must also obtain the necessary safety approvals from regulators in Britain and the European Union.
“This is an important next step in bringing competition and growth to the market for international rail services,” said Martin Jones, the ORR’s deputy director for access and international, following the decision.
Race to challenge Eurostar gathers pace
Virgin is not alone in attempting to open the cross-Channel market. Italy’s state railway group is working on plans for Trenitalia France to operate Paris-London services, with 19 new Frecciarossa high-speed trains ordered from Hitachi Rail as part of a €2 billion contract. Gemini Trains and Evolyn have also announced ambitions to enter the market.
Eurostar, meanwhile, is preparing its own major expansion, including a new generation of double-decker trains and potential services to additional European destinations.
Monaco Life is produced by qualified, multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, listen to our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.
AI generated image by Monaco Life