Story perspectives

UK regulator approves Virgin’s 20 daily London-Europe rail runs

8/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

The UK Office of Rail and Road approved Virgin Trains to run 20 daily return services between London and Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam from 1 Oct 2030 to 31 Dec 2040, limited to HS1.
Virgin must still obtain Channel-Tunnel access and continental track rights.
In October 2025 Virgin received permission to use Eurostar’s Temple Mills depot, the HS1-linked maintenance facility.
Virgin plans a £700 million purchase of 12 Alstom Avelia Stream trains, creating about 400 UK jobs.

History

Historical Context

In 1994 the Channel Tunnel opened, and Eurostar launched the first regular high-speed London-Paris service, a joint venture of British Rail, France’s SNCF and Belgium’s NMBS/SNCB. That cross-border model set the framework for later access rights, and on 30 October 2025 the ORR granted Virgin Trains Europe use of Eurostar’s Temple Mills depot. The tunnel’s original £9.5 billion cost underlines the scale of the infrastructure now being shared.

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Story summary

The UK Office of Rail and Road approved Virgin Trains to run 20 daily return services between London and Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam from 1 Oct 2030 to 31 Dec 2040, limited to HS1.
Virgin must still obtain Channel-Tunnel access and continental track rights.
In October 2025 Virgin received permission to use Eurostar’s Temple Mills depot, the HS1-linked maintenance facility.
Virgin plans a £700 million purchase of 12 Alstom Avelia Stream trains, creating about 400 UK jobs.

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