Virgin Trains gets green light for channel tunnel route
Virgin Trains has moved a step closer to running train services between London and Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels, after the railway watchdog waved through its application to use the line connected London to the channel tunnel. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said on Monday it had given Sir Richard Branson’s train company the [...]
The railway watchdog, Office of Rail and Road (ORR), has granted Virgin Trains permission to operate train services between London and Paris, Amsterdam, and Brussels via the channel tunnel. Virgin Trains, owned by Sir Richard Branson, is set to begin providing up to 20 return services from October 2030, potentially breaking Eurostar's monopoly on the route since its inception in 1994.
The decision comes after Virgin Trains secured the necessary track access agreement, allowing the company to work on plans for a new London-European rail service. To bring this vision to fruition, Virgin Trains must now obtain safety approvals, secure additional rolling stock, and finalize a deal for a dozen Avelia Stream high-speed trains from French manufacturer Alstom.
The ORR's decision paves the way for competition in a route that has been dominated by Eurostar since its launch, with other potential operators including Italy's state-backed rail operator FS Group and Franco-Spanish consortium Evolyn. ORR deputy director Martin Jones emphasized the significance of Virgin Trains' track access agreement in fostering competition and growth within the UK's international railway sector.
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