ORR approves Virgin to use Temple Mills depot for Channel services

The Office of Rail and Road on Thursday approved Virgin Trains' application to use the Temple Mills depot in east London, clearing a key regulatory step toward the company launching international services through the Channel Tunnel as soon as 2030. Access to Temple Mills, the only depot reachable from High Speed 1, is widely regarded as essential for maintaining and stabling trains that would operate cross-Channel services from London.

Temple Mills has been closely contested because trains that use the Channel Tunnel must access maintenance facilities on HS1. Eurostar has been the sole passenger operator through the tunnel since services began in 1994. The regulator said it rejected bids from Evolyn, Gemini Trains and Trenitalia and also declined Eurostar's request to use spare capacity at the site. The ORR said Virgin Trains' proposal showed stronger financial and operational evidence than rival applications, including investor backing and an agreement in principle for appropriate rolling stock.

Martin Jones, the ORR's deputy director for access and international, said the decision supports customer choice and competition in international rail and could unlock up to 700 million...