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Virgin Trains has taken a significant step toward potentially running rail services through the Channel Tunnel after receiving approval from the regulator to share a depot with Eurostar. This decision marks a potential end to Eurostar’s monopoly on passenger services, which has been in place since the tunnel opened in 1994. The Temple Mills railway storehouse in east London, the only depot in the UK capable of accommodating the larger trains used in continental Europe, is already connected to the cross-Channel line.
Virgin aims to begin running services from 2030, signaling a shift in the landscape of cross-Channel transportation. Eurostar, on the other hand, is currently reviewing the decision and contemplating its next steps to ensure its continued growth and viability. According to a Eurostar spokesperson, the priority remains delivering benefits to passengers stemming from recent investments in new fleet, jobs, and depot facilities.
The regulator, Office of Rail and Road (ORR), emphasized that several key steps must be taken before new international services can be operationalized. These steps include forging a commercial agreement between Virgin and Eurostar, securing necessary finances, gaining access to tracks and stations, as well as obtaining safety approvals from both UK and EU authorities. The ORR lauded its decision as it unlocked plans for approximately £700m worth of investments and the potential creation of 400 new jobs, underscoring its positive impact on passenger choice, economic growth, and customer satisfaction.
The approval from ORR has elicited positive reactions from various stakeholders in the transportation sector. Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin Group expressed his support for the decision, highlighting the benefits it brings to consumers. Rail Minister Lord Hendy hailed the approval as a significant step forward, emphasizing its role in enhancing passenger choice, improving value, and promoting connectivity and innovation. Martin Jones from ORR affirmed the organization’s readiness to collaborate with Virgin Trains as they progress with their plans for the future
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