The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has approved Virgin Trains’ application to access Temple Mills International depot in London, paving the way for a new era of competition on Channel Tunnel routes.
The decision marks a major breakthrough for Virgin, unlocking plans for around GBP 700 million of investment in new cross-border services and the creation of up to 400 jobs. The regulatory approval grants Virgin access to essential light maintenance facilities, a key prerequisite for operating international trains through the Channel Tunnel.
In a decision published on 30 October, ORR announced that it had approved Virgin’s application for Temple Mills access while rejecting competing bids from Evolyn, Gemini, and Trenitalia. The regulator concluded that Virgin’s proposal offered the strongest financial and operational case, supported by firm investor commitments and an agreement in principle to acquire new rolling stock.
“With this decision we are backing customer choice and competition in international rail, unlocking up to GBP 700mn in private sector investment and stimulating growth,” said Martin Jones, Deputy Director for Access and International at ORR. “While there is still some way to go before the first new services can run, we stand ready to work with Virgin Trains as their plans develop.”
The move is seen as a crucial step in opening the Channel Tunnel route to competition for the first time since Eurostar services began 30 years ago.
Virgin plans new international services from 2030
Following ORR’s approval, Virgin Group confirmed it will proceed with its cross-Channel rail venture, aiming to launch services between London St Pancras, Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam by 2030, with plans to expand further into Germany and Switzerland.
Virgin has secured Equitix and Azzurra Capital as its investment partners, with Equitix funding the train fleet and Virgin Group leading the operating company alongside both investors. The consortium will finance and deliver the project, expected to inject significant private investment into Europe’s high-speed rail market.
“The ORR’s decision is the right one for consumers – it’s time to end this 30-year monopoly and bring some Virgin magic to the cross-Channel route,” said Sir Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group. “Virgin is no stranger to delivering award-winning rail services, and just as we have successfully challenged incumbents in air, cruise and rail, we’re ready to do it again. We’re going to shake up the cross-Channel route for good and give consumers the choice they deserve.”
“The cross-Channel market is underserved and represents a fantastic opportunity for Virgin to bring greater value and service to customers, not just in the UK and France, but across the wider European network too,” added Josh Bayliss, CEO of Virgin Group. “Together with Equitix and Azzurra Capital, this consortium will build a new business that does what Virgin does best – disrupt and challenge the status quo.”
12 new Alstom trains to form Virgin’s international fleet
Virgin has signed an exclusive agreement with Alstom to purchase 12 Avelia Stream high-speed trains for the new service. The Avelia Stream builds on the proven design of Alstom’s Pendolino family, offering improved speed, energy efficiency, and passenger comfort.
“Virgin and Alstom have a history of driving innovation and change in the rail industry, and delivering for passengers,” said Andrew DeLeone, Alstom Europe Region President. “We are thrilled to partner with Virgin once again for this exciting new venture. This collaboration not only strengthens our longstanding relationship but also reinforces our shared commitment to sustainability, customer experience and technological excellence.”
Virgin’s long association with Alstom dates back to its Class 390 Pendolino fleet on the West Coast Main Line, operated under the Virgin Trains brand before the franchise concluded in 2019.
Infrastructure access and next steps
With depot access now secured, Virgin must finalise its commercial agreement with Eurostar, the current operator of Temple Mills, and obtain track access rights, safety certification, and cross-border authorisations from both UK and EU regulators.
According to ORR, these additional approvals will be required before any new international services can begin. Virgin’s goal is to start operations by 2030, coinciding with ongoing upgrades to the High Speed 1 corridor and wider European high-speed network.
The regulator also emphasised that its decision concerns only access to Temple Mills and does not specify the services Virgin must operate or destinations it must serve. However, Virgin has already confirmed it would include Ebbsfleet International or Ashford International in Kent as stops on its route if either station reopens for international services.
“Temple Mills has been a critical bottleneck in the process to launching a new cross-Channel service, so today’s news is a significant milestone for Virgin and a pivotal turning point for international rail,” said Phil Whittingham, Project Lead for Virgin Group and former Managing Director of Virgin Trains. “Building on the great success of Virgin Trains, Virgin will deliver a first-class cross-Channel service that will create hundreds of jobs and support the modal shift of short-haul journeys from air to rail.”
Boost for competition and decarbonisation
The introduction of a competing operator on the Channel Tunnel route represents a historic moment for European passenger rail, potentially lowering fares, improving service quality, and accelerating the modal shift from air to rail on short-haul travel.
Virgin’s planned network will align with the UK and EU’s net-zero ambitions by promoting lower-emission alternatives to air transport. The project’s GBP 700 million investment is also expected to generate substantial economic benefits, including supply chain growth and high-skilled employment.
The ORR’s decision follows strong stakeholder interest in expanding access to the High Speed 1 network and enhancing international connectivity from London and southeast England. The regulator said it had considered stakeholder views, Eurostar’s existing growth plans, and the need to make efficient use of limited depot capacity.
Virgin’s entry into the cross-Channel market is expected to be the first major challenge to Eurostar’s dominance since the service began in 1994.
“This is a major step toward creating a more competitive, sustainable and customer-focused international rail market,” said Martin Jones of ORR. “It will take time, but the foundation has now been laid.”
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