Transport companies hoping to compete with Eurostar on train routes from London to continental Europe have been given a boost.
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR), which regulates the UK’s railways, said that Eurostar’s London train depot at Temple Mills would be able to accommodate additional trains “if required” following the publication of an independent report.
Virgin Group, which is one of the companies hoping to compete against Eurostar, said the move represented “a green signal for competition”. Access to a suitable depot in London is seen as being crucial for any new international train operators.
The ORR said that changes to the “operational and maintenance arrangements” at the depot, as well as possible alterations to its infrastructure, would be needed to allow more trains to use the facility.
The report into the feasibility of using the depot for competing train companies was commissioned by the ORR because of “growing interest” in providing more services between London’s St Pancras station and mainland Europe.
As well as Virgin, Spain’s Evolyn, Dutch start-up Heuro and UK-based Gemini Trains have also expressed an interest in operating international services from St Pancras.
A Virgin Group spokesperson said: “Temple Mills depot is the only facility in the UK which can accommodate European-style trains and claims suggesting it was at capacity have been blocking Virgin from coming to the line.
"Virgin is therefore very pleased with the outcome and we thank the ORR for commissioning this report, which will now unlock competition on the cross-Channel route for the benefit of all passengers.
“There are no more major hurdles to overcome, and Virgin is ready to take up the challenge, given its award-winning experience in the train industry and track-record for building globally successful travel brands. We expect to be able to make an announcement very soon.”
Eurostar said in a statement that the report showed that the depot “is effectively almost full today for major maintenance work and would require investment to meet the growing demands of international rail”.
“The options presented in the report could help create some capacity, but this would not be enough to accommodate the stated ambitions of any single operator,” added Eurostar.
“This includes the three organisations who have applied to the regulator and the needs of Eurostar itself.
“Eurostar is willing to invest once again in new maintenance capacity and in many other areas to help deliver our ambitious growth plans. Other operators should consider investing in the system as well.”
ORR has now started a consultation process allowing stakeholders to provide evidence to support or challenge the report’s initial findings by 28 April.