Virgin Trains Granted Track Access for Channel Tunnel Services
Virgin Trains has been granted track access to run 20 daily return high-speed train services from London to the Channel Tunnel, clearing another hurdle for the launch of international services to Paris and beyond.
Track access
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR), the UK’s rail regulator, has granted open-access operator Virgin Trains track access for 20 daily return high-speed services between London St Pancras and the Channel Tunnel.
The agreement between the ORR and Virgin Trains, which is valid from 1 October 2030 to 31 December 2040, allows Virgin Trains to run services between London and Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam.
Last year, Virgin Trains had already applied for access to Temple Mills depot, another prerequisite for running trains through the Channel Tunnel.
London St Pancras International. ©AndyBTravels
Other steps
Before Virgin Trains will be able to run trains through the Channel Tunnel, several other steps must be completed by the open-access operator.
Virgin Trains must acquire suitable rolling stock, which will need to receive safety approval for use in the Channel Tunnel from both the ORR and relevant EU authorities.
Apart from track access on the UK side of the Channel Tunnel, Virgin Trains will also need to obtain paths on the continent to be able to run trains to Paris, Lille, Brussels or Amsterdam.
More competition on the horizon
Besides Virgin Trains, there are several more rail companies hoping to launch Channel Tunnel services to compete with Eurostar.
Perhaps the most concrete plans are those of Trenitalia, the Italian national railway company.
Earlier this month, Trenitalia placed an order for 19 high-speed trains with Hitachi, which it intends to use for future cross-Channel services.
Although Trenitalia hasn’t been granted access to the Temple Mills depot, it has secured a suitable site in Paris where it will build a brand-new depot, from which it hopes to launch its operations.
AndyB says:
“Things are really starting to take shape when it comes to competition for Eurostar!
“I wonder if we’ll see Eurostar starting to up its game rather than simply being a complacent incumbent?
“For my full analysis of Eurostar’s Channel Tunnel services and what competition could bring to the market, do read my recent Substack article on Eurostar.”
Eurostar high-speed train in Amsterdam. ©AndyBTravels
Book Eurostar tickets
Want to travel through the Channel Tunnel now, but don’t want to wait until 2030, when hopefully Virgin Trains and Trenitalia will launch their services?
Book your Eurostar ticket now through NS International, the booking site of the Dutch Railways.
Conclusion
Virgin Trains has been granted track access by the ORR to run trains between London St Pancras and the Channel Tunnel.
Although being granted track access is a major step for Virgin Trains towards launching services in competition with Eurostar, the open-access company must now also secure track access in France, acquire rolling stock, and have it approved for safety by the ORR and EU regulators.
It will be 2030 at the earliest before Virgin Trains runs cross-Channel services.
