Virgin Trains granted HS1 access, plans 20 daily services from 2030
Sir Richard Branson’s firm will invest £700 million, create 400 UK jobs and challenge Eurostar’s long‑standing monopoly on the cross‑Channel route.
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Virgin Trains will be able to operate 20 return trips each day on the high‑speed HS1 line between St Pancras International and the Channel tunnel, with services slated to begin in 2030. The permission was granted by the rail regulator, according to a report in The Standard.
Regulatory approval and next steps
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The regulator’s decision removes the final barrier to Virgin’s entry, but the company still must obtain the licences required to travel through the tunnel and to reach destinations such as Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam. Virgin has already arranged shared access to the Eurostar depot at Temple Mills in east London, where it will store and maintain its new fleet.
Investment and job creation
Sir Richard Branson has announced a £700 million investment in new rolling stock for the cross‑Channel service. The plan includes the purchase of twelve Alstom Avelia Stream trains, each with roughly 500 seats, and is expected to generate 400 jobs across the United Kingdom. The investment aims to match train capacity to demand on routes beyond Paris, such as Brussels and Amsterdam.
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Impact on Eurostar and passengers
Eurostar, owned by the French state railway SNCF, currently holds the sole right to use the Channel line, a position it has occupied since the service began in 1994. Virgin’s entry introduces competition for the first time in three decades, potentially lowering fares and increasing service frequency for travellers. Branson has said he wants to end “this 30‑year monopoly and bring some Virgin magic to the cross‑Channel route”.
I want to end this 30‑year monopoly and bring some Virgin magic to the cross‑Channel route.
Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Trains
If the licences are granted as expected, Virgin will begin running its first services in 2030. Passengers could see new stops at Ashford and Ebbsfleet should those stations be reopened, expanding options beyond the core London‑Paris corridor.
Questions this report answers
+How many Virgin Trains services will run each day and when will they start?
Virgin Trains has been authorised to run 20 return services per day on the HS1 line between St Pancras and the Channel tunnel. The timetable is set to commence in 2030, subject to the final licensing approvals.
+What investment is Virgin making and how many jobs will it create?
Sir Richard Branson’s company plans to spend £700 million on new rolling stock and related infrastructure. The investment is expected to create 400 jobs across the United Kingdom, covering manufacturing, maintenance and operational roles.
+What rights does Eurostar currently hold on the Channel line?
Eurostar holds the exclusive right to operate passenger services on the Channel tunnel line, a privilege it has maintained since the service’s launch in 1994. The company is owned by the French state railway SNCF.
+What are the next steps before Virgin can run trains through the tunnel?
Virgin must secure the licences that allow trains to travel through the Channel tunnel and to reach destinations beyond London. It has already arranged access to the Eurostar depot at Temple Mills for maintenance, and the regulator’s approval suggests the remaining licences are likely to be granted.
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