Virgin Trains has been granted approval by the Office of Rail and Road to utilize Eurostar’s east London train depot, allowing the company to introduce international services through the Channel Tunnel. This decision marks the end of Eurostar’s long-standing monopoly on Channel services, which began in 1994. The ORR has permitted Virgin Group, led by Sir Richard Branson, to access the Temple Mills site for train maintenance and storage.
Although Virgin Group has not operated trains in the UK since the expiration of its contract for the West Coast Main Line in December 2019, the ORR has turned down its application to run services in cities like London, Birmingham, Liverpool, and Manchester. Martin Jones from the ORR emphasized that the decision supports customer choice and competition in international rail, potentially unlocking up to £700 million in private sector investment and promoting growth.
Sir Richard Branson expressed his support for the ORR’s ruling, stating that it is time to break the 30-year monopoly and introduce Virgin’s unique service to the cross-Channel route. Rail minister Lord Hendy welcomed the decision, highlighting that it will enhance passenger options, value, and connectivity. Plans are being considered to establish new depot capacity in the UK to facilitate market needs and encourage competition and growth.
Despite the Channel Tunnel operating at only 50% capacity, the ORR rejected applications from other companies like Evolyn, Gemini Trains, and Trenitalia to use the Temple Mills depot. Eurostar’s request to utilize the site’s spare capacity for expansion was also denied.