Virgin Trains has taken a major step toward competing with Eurostar on cross-Channel routes. On Monday, August 17, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) granted track access approval for Sir Richard Branson’s company to operate up to 20 new daily return services through the Channel Tunnel, starting in 2030.
The approval covers services between London St Pancras and the same stations in Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam that Eurostar currently uses. The track access agreement runs from October 1, 2030, to December 31, 2040. Sir Richard has previously expressed ambitions to expand further into France, Germany, and Switzerland.
Key Regulatory Hurdle Cleared
The ORR’s decision marks a significant regulatory milestone for Virgin Trains. It follows the company’s access last October to share Eurostar’s Temple Mills depot in East London, the only depot accessible from High Speed 1, the line connecting London to the Channel Tunnel. This depot will be used for train maintenance and storage.
Martin Jones, deputy director of access and international at the ORR, said: “This is an important next step in bringing competition and growth to the market for international rail services, and we welcome the progress Virgin Trains and London St Pancras High Speed have made. While there is still more work to do, we are supporting Virgin and the wider industry to grow international services.”
Potential for Cheaper Fares
A key benefit for passengers could be lower ticket prices. Virgin has repeatedly indicated that fares will be competitive with, or even cheaper than, Eurostar’s current prices, which can start at £39 between London and Paris, or lower during sales. While exact Virgin ticket prices have not been announced, Sir Richard previously said: “If you have competition, then fares will inevitably come down. If we’ve got seats that need selling, we will reduce the cost of them.”
Sir Richard has also said it is “time to end this 30-year monopoly” that Eurostar has held on passenger services through the Channel Tunnel since it opened in 1994.
Remaining Steps Before Launch
Despite the approval, the ORR noted that “still more work to do” remains before Virgin Trains can begin operations. The company must secure access to other rail networks and obtain safety approvals from the ORR and relevant EU regulators. These steps are required ahead of the planned start of services in 2030.
The approval represents a concrete step toward introducing competition on international rail routes, which could lead to more choice and potentially lower fares for passengers traveling between London and mainland Europe.
