LONDON — Eurostar’s long run as the sole operator of rail service through the Channel Tunnel between England and France is likely to end following a decision today (Oct. 30, 2025) by the UK regulatory Office of Rail and Road to allow Virgin Trains access to the only servicing facility on the high-speed route between the tunnel and London.
Four companies had requested access to the Temple Mills servicing facility in East London [see “Eurostar facing competition …,” Trains.com, April 17, 2025]. But the ORR said in a press release that Virgin Trains “has the strongest prospect of making the best use” of the available capacity, and turned down the applications of startups Evolyn, a Spanish firm; Gemini Trains; and Italy’s Trenitalia. The agency said the Virgin Trains plans were “more financially and operationally robust” than the others and provided evidence of investor backing and plans for the necessary rolling stock. It fully spelled out its reasoning in a 21-page letter to all applicants.
The agency said the decision would allow about £700 million ($919.5 million) in investment and create some 400 new jobs. While Virgin Trains plans to start running service in 2030, the ORR noted its decision “strictly concerns access to Temple Mills; it does not, and ORR cannot, require Virgin Trains to run specific services or stop them from changing what destinations they plan to serve.” The decision also requires Virgin Trains to reach agreement with Eurostar, the operator of Temple Mills, on contract terms for use of the facility.
“With this decision we are backing customer choice and competition in international rail,” said Martin Jones, ORR deputy director, access and international. “… 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.”
Virgin Trains said its application that it seeks to run up to 40 trains daily from London’s St. Pancras International station to Parris, Brussells, and Amsterdam.
Virgin Group founder Richard Branson said in a blog post today that “the 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. I’ve always believed competition drives innovation, and that’s exactly what we will bring to the Channel Tunnel.” Branson said Virgin was working with Alstom to “soon” place an order for 12 Avelia Stream trains for the service.
Eurostar, which has offered service through the Channel Tunnel since its opening in 1994, recently announced plans to expand operations, placing its own €2 billion ($2.32 billion) order for 30 new bilevel high-speed trains, with an option for up to 20 more [see “Eurostar orders double-decker trains …,” Trains.com, Oct. 22, 2025]. Eurostar said its goal is to move up to 30 million passengers annually; in 2024, it carried 19.5 million riders.
