Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group has cleared a significant regulatory hurdle in its bid to launch a rival rail service through the Channel Tunnel, as it seeks to break Eurostar’s long-standing grip on cross-Channel travel by 2030.
ORR Gives Green Light
The Office of Rail and Road, Britain’s rail regulator, has approved Virgin’s track access arrangement, allowing the company to run trains along the route connecting St Pancras International in London to the Channel Tunnel entrance near Folkestone. The regulator’s decision builds on an earlier deal reached with HS1 Limited, which controls the high-speed line.
Martin Jones of the ORR welcomed the development, saying it represented an important step toward bringing greater competition to international rail services, while acknowledging further work remains before Virgin’s plans can be fully realised.
Separate approval will still be required from Getlink, the French firm that owns and operates the tunnel itself, along with additional regulatory sign-offs before services can begin.
Ambitious Launch Plans
Virgin is targeting a 2030 start date for its new service, with hopes of running as many as 20 trains daily across routes linking London with Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam. Under its current proposals, the company would operate 13 daily return journeys to Paris, four to Brussels, and three to Amsterdam, positioning itself as a genuine challenger to Eurostar, which currently runs 14, up to nine, and five services respectively on those same routes.
A Virgin Group spokesman described the ORR’s approval as a welcome step, adding that the company was eager to bring what it called its distinctive customer experience to the Channel Tunnel and that preparations were progressing steadily toward the 2030 target.
A Market Long Closed to Rivals
Eurostar has operated as the only passenger service through the tunnel for decades, despite European regulations technically permitting competitors to apply for access since well over ten years ago. Stringent safety requirements meant that trains previously needed costly, bespoke modifications to run through the tunnel, effectively deterring newcomers.
Germany’s Deutsche Bahn attempted to break into the market back in 2013 but ultimately shelved its plans after running into difficulties securing regulatory clearance for its trains in Belgium.
The landscape shifted in 2023, when regulators relaxed the technical requirements governing tunnel operations, making it feasible for less specially-adapted trains to gain access and opening the door to fresh competition.
Virgin cleared another obstacle last year when it secured rights to use available space at Temple Mills in east London, the only depot on the British side equipped for high-speed trains. Meanwhile, competitor Trenitalia is constructing its own dedicated depot on the outskirts of Paris.
Other Contenders Eye the Route
Virgin is far from alone in seeking to break Eurostar’s dominance. Italian operator Trenitalia, along with newer entrants Gemini Trains and Evolyn, are also pursuing access to the Channel Tunnel, suggesting the route could see a genuinely crowded field of competitors by the end of the decade.
Campaigners have long argued that the absence of competition has allowed Eurostar to charge premium fares. Transport & Environment, an environmental campaign group, found in 2024 that Eurostar’s fares ran to nearly double the average per-kilometre cost seen elsewhere in Europe.
Eurostar Responds
Responding to the ORR’s decision, a Eurostar spokesman struck a measured tone, acknowledging the scope for growth in international rail travel while emphasising the company’s own expansion ambitions. The firm said it remained focused on investing in its fleet and growing passenger numbers toward a target of 30 million journeys annually.
Getlink has been contacted for comment on the ORR’s approval of Virgin’s application.
