Overview
- The Office of Rail and Road granted UK-side track access on Monday, August 17, 2026, authorising up to 20 daily return Channel Tunnel services between 1 October 2030 and 31 December 2040.
- The approval covers services from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord, Brussels-Midi and Amsterdam Centraal but applies only to the English portion of the route and is explicitly conditional on further steps.
- Virgin already secured use of the Temple Mills International depot in east London, the only facility with direct HS1 access, which removes a major operational barrier to running cross-Channel trains.
- Before any trains run, Virgin must obtain safety approvals from UK and EU regulators, negotiate access with continental track owners and buy enough trains; the company is reported to be nearing a deal for a dozen Alstom Avelia Stream sets.
- The Channel Tunnel is estimated to be operating at roughly half capacity, which gives physical room for rivals but means the commercial launch will hinge on final approvals, station and HS1 access arrangements and confirmed investment plans.