\n
Sir Richard Branson has been encouraged to reconsider his strategy to operate trains through the Channel Tunnel, following comments from the rail minister that competing bids to Eurostar must commit to servicing Kent and east London stations.<\/h2>\n
\nVirgin Group is among several operators aspiring to challenge Eurostar\u2019s 30-year dominance on the route, but Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill cautioned that proposals focused solely on London St Pancras might not suffice.<\/p>\n
At an event in Ashford, Kent, Lord Hendy stated that bidders must demonstrate \u201cthe possibility for services to be reintroduced\u201d at Stratford International, Ebbsfleet, and Ashford stations \u2013 an action he claimed could contribute \u00a3500m annually to the tourism economy.<\/p>\n
Eurostar ceased services at Ebbsfleet and Ashford in 2020 and has never operated at Stratford, yet border facilities continue to be available at the Kent stations.<\/p>\n
Virgin\u2019s scheme entails direct trains from St Pancras to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam starting in 2030, with potential future extensions into France, Germany, and Switzerland. The Spanish operator Evolyn, in collaboration with Italy\u2019s Trenitalia, has a comparable plan limited to St Pancras.<\/p>\n
In contrast, newcomer Gemini Trains \u2013 which has formed a marketing partnership with Uber \u2013 aims for Stratford to be its London terminus and to include a stop at Ebbsfleet. Its chief executive, Adrian Quine, contended that this approach would provide Gemini access to nearly 20 million people, due to 5,000 parking spaces and connections to the M25 and the new Lower Thames Crossing.<\/p>\n
\u201cVirgin is merely imitating Eurostar<\/a>,\u201d Quine asserted, maintaining that Gemini\u2019s incorporation of Kent stations offered it a significant advantage.<\/p>\nThe Office of Rail and Road (ORR), which oversees Channel Tunnel access, is expected to announce by the end of October which operator may utilize limited maintenance capacity at Temple Mills depot in east London. Virgin, Gemini, Evolyn, and Trenitalia are all contenders, alongside Eurostar\u2019s own bid to maintain exclusivity.<\/p>\n
Lord Hendy has contacted the ORR emphasizing that its assessment should extend beyond depot logistics to also consider the economic consequences of servicing Kent stations.<\/p>\n
Virgin opted not to comment on the minister\u2019s statements.<\/p>\n\n
\n
\t\t \t<\/div>\n
Jamie Young<\/h3>\n
\t\tJamie is a Senior Reporter at Business Matters, bringing over a decade of expertise in UK SME business reporting.
\nJamie possesses a degree in Business Administration and frequently engages in industry conferences and workshops.
\n
\nWhen not covering the latest developments in business, Jamie is enthusiastic about mentoring emerging journalists and entrepreneurs to encourage the next generation of business leaders. \t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n