International rail travel from London could soon be transformed, as the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has announced plans to open up access to Eurostar’s North London depot — a move that could break Eurostar’s long-standing monopoly on Channel Tunnel passenger services.
The ORR revealed it will allocate spare capacity at the Temple Mills depot in Leyton to either Eurostar, which is seeking to expand, or a new international rail operator. The decision marks a key step towards introducing competing services between London and European destinations.
Virgin and Italian Rail Firms Among Potential Challengers
A number of operators are vying to launch rival services on the continent. These include Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, Italy’s state-owned FS Italiane Group, and Gemini Trains — a company chaired by Labour peer Lord Berkeley.
Last month, the UK and Switzerland signed a bilateral agreement that could pave the way for a direct rail route between London and Geneva in under five hours, further underlining the growing appetite for enhanced international rail connectivity.
Temple Mills is currently the only site in the UK capable of servicing trains compatible with the Channel Tunnel and European rail networks. Gaining access to this strategic facility is essential for any new entrant aiming to offer international services.
High Demand for Routes to Europe
Eurostar, which currently operates from London St Pancras to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and seasonal routes to the French Alps, may soon face competition on popular corridors.
Getlink — the French operator of the Channel Tunnel — has identified several potential new routes, including London to Bordeaux, Cologne, Frankfurt, Geneva, Marseille, and Zurich.
Martin Jones, ORR’s deputy director for access and international, welcomed the growing interest in cross-border rail services.
“The growing appetite to provide international rail services is great news for passengers. We now need operators to set out more detail on their proposals at pace, and we will work quickly and thoroughly to determine the best use of Temple Mills capacity,” he said.
Capacity Exists — But Limited to One New Operator
A review commissioned by the ORR earlier this year confirmed that Temple Mills depot does have limited spare capacity for additional trains without significant changes.
With further investment, additional capacity could be unlocked. However, the ORR has concluded that currently, space is available for either one new operator or for Eurostar to expand its fleet.
The regulator has also assessed feedback from key stakeholders, including Eurostar, and stated that the analysis reflects the current reality accurately.
Next Steps: Regulatory Hurdles and Infrastructure Access
Even if access to Temple Mills is granted, new services will take time to launch. Prospective operators must still secure access to High Speed 1 (the rail link between London and the Channel Tunnel), obtain rolling stock, and gain regulatory approval in both the UK and France.
The ORR is expected to make a final decision on how Temple Mills capacity will be allocated later in 2025. In the meantime, the announcement has fuelled optimism among rail users and environmental groups eager for more sustainable and competitive international travel options.
