Overview
- UK regulator ORR approved Virgin Trains’ use of the Temple Mills depot in east London, the only UK facility reachable from High Speed 1.
- ORR rejected rival bids from Evolyn, Gemini Trains and Trenitalia, and it turned down Eurostar’s request to use additional spare capacity at the site.
- Virgin aims to begin London services to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam in 2030, subject to track access, safety and cross-border certifications.
- Virgin has an agreement in principle for 12 Alstom Avelia Stream trains, with funding led by Equitix and Azzurra Capital alongside Virgin Group.
- The move comes as Eurostar pursues a separate order of new double-deck trains for entry into service in 2031, and the government explores adding UK depot capacity.