Eurostar's London depot can accommodate additional trains, paving the way for competitor companies on the line, the UK rail regulator announced on Monday.
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) stated that the Eurostar's London depot could host extra trains if required, responding to an independent report it commissioned.
A Virgin spokesperson, interested in operating the line, welcomed this "green light for competition" in a statement.
"The (Eurostar) Temple Mills depot is the only facility in the UK capable of accommodating European-style trains. Claims that it was at full capacity have prevented Virgin from entering the market," the spokesperson added.
On 10 March, Virgin announced plans to raise £700 million aiming to open a competing line to Eurostar by 2029. Eurostar is currently the sole passenger service on the Channel Tunnel route linking London to the continent, and its fares have faced criticism.
The plan by billionaire Richard Branson's group, which operated trains in the UK from 1997 to 2019, aims to raise £300 million in equity and £400 million in loans.
Yann Leriche, CEO of Getlink, the operator of the Channel Tunnel, recently noted that several other operators, including Spain's Evolyn and the Netherlands' Heuro, have expressed interest in opening competing lines.
A record 19.5 million customers travelled with Eurostar in 2024, an increase of 850,000 from 2023, the company reported in January.
However, due to high prices, passengers eagerly await more competition. A return trip from London to Paris often exceeds €350, especially during peak times or busy travel periods.
