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Rail Regulator Rejects Open-Access Bids for West Coast Main Line

Citing insufficient timetable capacity that would undermine punctuality, the ORR denied three fresh services, prompting Virgin to pivot toward Eurostar competition.

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Virgin Group said the decision by the rail regulator was “a blow for consumer choice and competition”

Overview

  • The Office of Rail and Road turned down applications from Virgin Management, East Coast Trains (Lumo) and the Wrexham, Shropshire & Midlands Railway Company to run open-access services on the West Coast Main Line.
  • ORR strategy director Stephanie Tobyn said the southern section lacked the timetable space required to add new trains without harming performance and reliability.
  • Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and DfT director general Richard Goodman had urged the regulator to protect taxpayer interests by tightening access ahead of Labour’s planned renationalisation.
  • Avanti West Coast continues to operate the route, which is due to be brought under public ownership by October 2027 under the Great British Railway framework.
  • Virgin described the setback as a blow for competition and confirmed it will now concentrate on its bid to contest Eurostar services through the Channel Tunnel.