Virgin billionaire Richard Branson plans Channel tunnel trains to rival Eurostar

By JESSICA CLARK

Updated: 22:00 BST, 31 March 2025

Richard Branson is planning to launch a rail service to rival Eurostar.

The billionaire’s Virgin Group said there were ‘no more major hurdles to overcome’ before it can begin operating passenger trains through the Channel Tunnel following a ruling by the rail regulator.

The announcement came as airline Virgin Atlantic reported its first profit since the pandemic.

Virgin, meanwhile, said it could run a European rail service from 2029 after the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) found there was capacity for additional trains at Eurostar’s Temple Mills depot in London.

Access to a suitable depot for maintaining and storing trains has been cited by the industry as a critical requirement for companies to compete with Eurostar. A Virgin spokesman said: ‘Finally, a green signal for competition.

‘The Temple Mills depot is the only facility in the UK which can accommodate European-style trains and claims suggesting it was at capacity have been blocking Virgin from coming to the line.

All aboard: Richard Branson’s Virgin Group said there were ‘no more major hurdles to overcome’ before it can begin operating trains following a ruling by the rail regulator

‘Virgin is therefore very pleased with the outcome and we thank the ORR for commissioning this report, which will now unlock competition on the cross-Channel route for the benefit of all passengers.

There are no more major hurdles to overcome, and Virgin is ready to take up the challenge, given its award-winning experience in the train industry and track record for building globally successful travel brands. We expect to be able to make an announcement very soon. Watch this space.’

Before getting the go-ahead, Virgin would need approval to run trains on HS1 lines and through the Channel Tunnel.

It would require a licence to operate trains in Britain, and a safety certificate. The equivalent documents would also be required in the European country where Virgin plans to operate.

Meanwhile, Virgin Atlantic – which is majority-owned by Branson – warned yesterday that there have been ‘some signals that US demand has been slowing’ over the past few weeks. Finance chief Oli Byers said: ‘We think that is quite a natural reaction to general consumer uncertainty in the US at the minute.’

American consumers are tightening their belts owing to concerns over Donald Trump’s trade war. Shares in Virgin Atlantic’s London-listed rival IAG, which owns BA, tumbled 6.6pc following the update.

Virgin Atlantic said profits hit £20million in 2024 compared with a £139million loss a year earlier. The carrier reported record revenue of £3.3billion after carrying 5.6m passengers during the year.

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Virgin billionaire Richard Branson plans Channel tunnel trains to rival Eurostar

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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk

Virgin billionaire Richard Branson plans Channel tunnel trains to rival Eurostar