Cross-border rail operator Eurostar has launched an appeal over the decision to grant Virgin Trains access to the UK’s high-speed rail line, known as HS1, between London and the Channel Tunnel.
The UK regulator, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), last week “pre-approved” a framework track access deal between Virgin Trains and London St Pancras Highspeed, which runs HS1.
The move is a major step in Virgin’s hopes to become the first train operator to challenge Eurostar on cross-Channel routes from London to Brussels, Paris and Amsterdam, starting in 2030. Eurostar has enjoyed a monopoly on these routes since the Channel Tunnel opened in the mid-1990s.
Eurostar, which also wants to expand its cross-Channel services, has lodged an official appeal with ORR over this decision, with the company alleging that the process had been “wholly non-transparent as well as unfair and discriminatory”.
“HS1 is in effect unlawfully reserving capacity for VTE (Virgin Trains) as an access applicant and withholding that same capacity from other applicants (including Eurostar) and aspirant operators,” added Eurostar in its appeal application.
Eurostar also cited the plans of other train operators, such as Italian operator Trenitalia, to compete on cross-Channel rail routes, within its appeal document. Eurostar added that all bids for HS1 track access should be “considered alongside other relevant applications”.
Virgin Group said Eurostar’s appeal was “regrettable, predictable and, in our view, without merit”. Meanwhile, ORR said it was “satisfied” that its decision to approve access to Virgin Trains was “appropriate”.