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Virgin wins UK track access for future Channel Tunnel rail services

The Office of Rail and Road approval covers up to 20 daily return services from 1 October 2030 to 31 December 2040, but Virgin still needs rolling stock and safety approvals.

Reported · Written up by our desk · M&A & Deals

Virgin has taken a major step toward launching future high speed rail services between London and continental Europe after it was granted UK track access by the Office of Rail and Road, according to BBC Business.

The ORR approved Virgin to run up to 20 daily return services through the Channel Tunnel for the period from 1 October 2030 to 31 December 2040, a move aimed at increasing competition on a route where Eurostar has held a passenger services monopoly since the tunnel opened in 1994.

The regulator said the approval is limited to the UK track segment from London St Pancras to the Channel Tunnel at Dover. Virgin still must secure rolling stock for the services and obtain safety approvals from both UK and EU authorities, and it also needs access to rail networks in mainland Europe.

Virgin also said it plans to buy 12 high speed trains from Alstom for the service. BBC Business added that Italy’s FS Italiane Group, through its subsidiary Trenitalia France, is also seeking to run services via the Channel Tunnel.

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