Virgin Trains Secures Track Access for Cross-Channel Services
New operator poised to challenge Eurostar's 30-year monopoly on routes to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam starting in 2030.
Sarah Connor
Virgin Trains has secured crucial track access to operate new international rail services through the Channel Tunnel.
The track access agreement, spanning October 1, 2030, to December 31, 2040, signals a monumental shift in cross-Channel rail operations.
Eurostar has held exclusive control over passenger services through the Channel Tunnel since its 1994 inauguration.
This approval authorizes up to 20 new daily return services through the Channel Tunnel, which currently operates at 50% capacity.
Virgin Trains plans to operate services between St Pancras and the same stations in Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam that Eurostar presently utilizes.
A Virgin Group spokesperson confirmed their plans for a new London-Europe rail service from 2030 are accelerating, welcoming the ORR's pre-approval of their track access agreement.
The spokesperson emphasized the opportunity to introduce competition and Virgin's award-winning customer experience to the Channel Tunnel route.
An important next step in bringing competition and growth to the market for international rail services.
Martin Jones affirmed this development as 'an important next step in bringing competition and growth to the market for international rail services.'
Jones added, 'While there is still more work to do, we are supporting Virgin and the wider industry to grow international services.'
Despite this progress, the Office of Rail and Road indicates Virgin still needs to secure rolling stock for the services and obtain safety approval from both UK and EU authorities.
Virgin also needs to secure access to rail networks in mainland Europe, according to the ORR.
Temple Mills remains the only depot accessible from High Speed 1, the critical line connecting London to the Channel Tunnel.
Time to end this 30-year monopoly and bring some Virgin magic to the cross-Channel route.
Richard Branson declared it was 'time to end this 30-year monopoly and bring some Virgin magic to the cross-Channel route.'
Separately, Italian state railway operator FS Italiane Group has reportedly ordered 19 high-speed trains for services between London and Paris by 2029, indicating further potential shifts in the market.