Virgin Group Seeks £700m to Challenge Eurostar on Cross-Channel Rail

Richard Branson's Virgin Group plans to raise funds for a potential high-speed rail service connecting London to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam, aiming to rival Eurostar by 2029.

Virgin Group aims to raise £300m in equity and £400m in debt to support its proposed cross-Channel rail project.
The service would be the first direct competitor to Eurostar, which has operated the route for 30 years.
Virgin's high-frequency rail service could connect London with Paris, Brussels, and potentially Amsterdam by the end of the decade.
The project is still in its early stages, with Virgin seeking investment partners and no firm commitment to launch yet.
Access to a key London train depot remains a challenge, as Virgin and other potential competitors have requested regulatory intervention to resolve disputes.