PLANS for new train companies to compete with Eurostar to transport Brits under the Channel have been given a huge boost.
A new report has confirmed that the London Channel Tunnel depot at Temple Mills, where Eurostar stores its trains, has space for more storage.
It had previously been argued that there was only limited space for trains at Temple Mills – and therefore no room for newcomers.
The report from The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is significant because several companies are currently applying to use the tunnel for future operations across to Europe.
If the ORR had found an issue with expanding the use of the terminal, it would have made it much harder for the new train companies, including Virgin, to launch.
Following the news, a Virgin Group spokesperson commented: “Finally a green signal for competition. The Temple Mills depot is the only facility in the UK which can accommodate European-style trains and claims suggesting it was at capacity have been blocking Virgin from coming to the line.
“Virgin is therefore very pleased with the outcome and we thank the ORR for commissioning this report, which will now unlock competition on the cross-Channel route for the benefit of all passengers.
“There are no more major hurdles to overcome, and Virgin is ready to take up the challenge, given its award-winning experience in the train industry and track-record for building globally successful travel brands.
“We expect to be able to make an announcement very soon. Watch this space!”
Virgin first revealed its plans to launch a transatlantic route in 2023, with the project costing up to £1 billion.
Currently, Eurostar is the only operator with routes from the UK, connecting London to France, Belgium and The Netherlands.
And Virgin isn’t the only company hoping to secure the space.
Start up company, Evolyn, announced plans for trains between London and Paris in 2023 too.
The new fleet, consisting of 12 Avelia trains, was set to launch a limited service later this year, although this is likely to be delayed.
Gemini also applied to the Office of Rail and Road for access to Eurostar’s Temple Mills International maintenance depot.
The company is also in discussion with key stakeholders around
other train maintenance facilities.
Andrew Meaney, Partner at Oxera, and adviser to Gemini Trains said: “Gemini welcomes that the ORR’s transparent process has determined there is available capacity at Temple Mills International depot and we look forward to working with them as they use their
duties to allocate this capacity.”
Last year, Eurostar also confirmed plans to expand its fleet by 33 per cent and replace its older trains.
According to the Financial Times, Eurostar Chief Executive Gwendoline Cazenave revealed that the train company was considering new route options from London to Europe.
This would mean adding to its existing services between London, Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels.
Plus, Sun Travel spoke to Michael Portillo about his favourite train journeys in Europe.
Why Virgin taking on Eurostar is good for consumers
There's more to consider when it comes to launching more trains in the Channel Tunnel...
The Sun’s Head of Travel Lisa Minot explained how Virgin’s interest in the route is good news for UK travellers
While a second operator on the Channel Tunnel could only be a positive move for travellers, there are significant challenges before this could become reality.
Eurostar currently has a monopoly on the route and competition would potentially bring more choice, lower prices and new routes.
Eurostar itself is a shadow of the company it was in its glory days with direct routes to Disneyland Paris, Lyon, Avignon and Marseille plus its fabulous ski train to the Alps.
While the pandemic brought the company almost to its knees, it has been steadily getting back on its feet and the merger with Belgian operator Thalys has opened up fast train services to Germany.
But the constrictions on space at St Pancras plus the potential disruption when the new European Entry Exit System finally arrives mean there are still significant problems that need to be addressed.
