Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group is advancing plans to run international train services to mainland Europe, with potential stops at two London stations. The company aims to introduce 20 daily return services between London, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam from 2030, adding nearly 7.5 million seats to the cross-Channel route annually.
Train specifications and operations
The trains, capable of reaching speeds up to 300kmh (186mph), will operate from St Pancras International. Virgin is also exploring a second London stop at Stratford International. London Mayor Lord Sadiq Khan has indicated that plans for Stratford International to be used by cross-Channel services are almost "over the line."
Virgin has signed an agreement for 12 Avelia Stream trains with French rail group Alstom, which will also provide maintenance under a 30-year contract. The company has released images of its planned black and red fleet.
Leadership and regulatory approval
Josh Bayliss, chief executive of the Virgin Group, said: "We'll be connecting London with some of Europe's greatest cities and giving passengers a distinctive new choice in cross-Channel travel. Virgin has always thrived on challenging the status quo and aimed to provide our customers with a great experience. We'll bring the same approach to the cross-Channel route, making the journey something to look forward to as much as the destination."
Rail minister Lord Hendy, a former Transport Commissioner for London, has advocated for international trains to stop at Stratford as well as St Pancras. The Office of Rail and Road has granted Virgin track access for services between London, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam in 2030. The agreement, covering October 1 2030 to December 31 2040, relates to tracks owned and operated by London St Pancras High Speed.
Depot and station considerations
Virgin has also signed an agreement with Eurostar to maintain its trains at the Temple Mills International depot in east London. Eurostar has so far declined to have two stops in the capital. Disability minister Sir Stephen Timms, MP for East Ham, has campaigned for more than 30 years for international rail services to stop at both Stratford and another London terminus, previously Waterloo.
A Eurostar spokesperson said: "Eurostar has no plans to operate out of Stratford International, however growing international rail is a huge opportunity for the UK and boosted infrastructure capacity is one of the ways to unlock it. We've called on the Government to use it's convening power to bring together infrastructure providers, operators, and public bodies to solve constraints on stations and depots."
