ORR approves Temple Mills access for Virgin Trains, paving way for future international rail services

Decision unlocks £700 million investment and 400 new jobs as Virgin eyes Channel Tunnel routes by 2030

The UK rail regulator, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), has approved Virgin Trains’ application for access to the Temple Mills International depot, marking a major step toward launching new cross-border passenger train services through the Channel Tunnel.

The decision enables Virgin Trains to use the London-based maintenance facility, a critical operational requirement for running international services. ORR’s ruling — which rejected rival bids from Evolyn, Gemini, and Trenitalia — follows independent analysis and consultation with stakeholders, concluding that Virgin’s proposal was the most financially and operationally robust.

The approval is expected to unlock around £700 million in private investment and create 400 new jobs, according to Virgin’s plans. The regulator also noted strong evidence of investor support and an agreement in principle to secure suitable rolling stock.

“With this decision we are backing customer choice and competition in international rail, unlocking up to £700 million in private sector investment and stimulating growth,” said Martin Jones, ORR’s Deputy Director for 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.”

The ORR emphasised that its decision only covers depot access, not route specifics or service commitments. Virgin must still negotiate a commercial agreement with Eurostar, which operates Temple Mills, and obtain track access, station rights, financing, and safety certifications from both UK and EU regulators before operations can begin.

Virgin Trains aims to launch international passenger services by 2030, potentially challenging Eurostar’s long-held monopoly on Channel Tunnel routes.

The announcement has been widely welcomed by stakeholders as a boost for competition, passenger choice, and economic growth, with some expressing renewed interest in reopening Kent stations to international services in the future.