News · 30 October 2025

Virgin Trains Wins Historic Approval to Challenge Eurostar's 30-Year Channel Tunnel Monopoly

The Office of Rail and Road has approved Virgin Trains' application to access London's Temple Mills depot, ending Eurostar's three-decade monopoly on Channel Tunnel passenger services. Virgin plans to launch competing services from London St Pancras to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam by 2030, with ambitions for future expansion into Germany and Switzerland. The approval marks the first major challenge to Eurostar since Channel Tunnel services began in 1994.

By BriefTea Editorial · 30 October 2025 at 13:24

Reported by ORR · How we write briefs

Get the app

Understand this story

What is the Channel Tunnel?

More briefs

TechnologyWebsites worldwide go offline after two serious flaws found in PHP TechnologyNew Mexico judge orders Meta to pay $25 billion over data privacy BusinessNetflix shares drop nearly 5% as its advertising income grows slower than hoped SportsFormer NFL player Allen Bailey has been found dead at age 37 Transport£100 ticket and 3 points for vaping while driving WorldMacron accuses Trump of making stupid comments about the recent French riots Browse all stories →