UK regulator grants Virgin Trains access to Channel Tunnel line from 2030

Regulator approval

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) granted Virgin Trains provisional access to the HS1 high-speed rail line connecting London St Pancras to the Channel Tunnel near Dover. The agreement allows Virgin to operate up to 20 daily round trips between London and Paris (Gare du Nord), Brussels (Brussels-Midi) and Amsterdam (Amsterdam Centraal) from October 1, 2030 through December 31, 2040. Virgin and London St Pancras Highspeed must still finalize the agreement, which could be completed by early September. The approval covers only the British section of the route from St Pancras to the tunnel near Dover. Virgin still needs access to continental rail networks and safety clearances from both UK and EU authorities before services can launch. Passengers are hoping that competition will push down fares, as current train tickets on routes such as London-Paris are often more expensive than flights.

This is an important next step to bring more competition and growth to the market.

Virgin's preparations

Virgin, owned by British billionaire Richard Branson, had already secured access in October 2025 to the Temple Mills depot in east London, the only facility connected to HS1 from which trains can reach the Channel Tunnel. That access had previously been reserved for Eurostar and was considered indispensable for continental services; several competitors had failed to obtain it. The company has a preliminary agreement with French manufacturer Alstom to purchase 12 high-speed trains, though the final acquisition has not been completed. Virgin plans to invest approximately £700 million (over €800 million) in the project and is seeking financial partners. The ORR estimates the operation could create around 400 jobs. The company has not yet announced what it will charge for tickets.

Eurostar's monopoly under pressure

Eurostar has been the sole passenger rail operator through the Channel Tunnel since the tunnel opened in 1994. According to The Independent, tunnel capacity is currently only about 50 percent utilized. Eurotunnel, the tunnel operator, states the infrastructure can handle 1,000 trains per day, well above the current 400. Branson had previously campaigned for entry into the market, telling The Independent it was time to break the 30-year monopoly. Eurostar is no longer a British state company but has the French and Belgian national rail operators as major shareholders. International rail routes in Europe are still largely operated by national rail companies or their alliances, which typically hold exclusive rights on the tracks.

Other challengers and EU policy

Virgin is not alone in targeting Eurostar's position. Italian state operator Trenitalia plans to connect Paris and London from 2029, backed by a financial agreement with US fund Certares. Start-up Gemini Trains is also pursuing London-continental services, while Dutch low-cost operator GoVolta aims to compete with Eurostar between Amsterdam and Paris. The European Commission supports admitting more commercial operators to international rail routes, hoping to bring ticket prices down. The UK, no longer an EU member, is nonetheless contributing to rail liberalization through the ORR's decision to open the HS1 line to a private competitor.