Virgin has moved a step closer to running rail services through the Channel Tunnel, with plans to operate as many as 20 daily journeys to Europe.
The company wants to enter the cross-Channel rail market with regular services linking Britain with European destinations. The proposal would involve trains using the Channel Tunnel, one of the key rail routes between the UK and mainland Europe.
However, the development does not amount to final clearance for the services to begin. Virgin must still obtain additional approval to operate on tracks outside the UK before any proposed European journeys could go ahead.
The requirement for overseas track approval means the company’s plans remain subject to further regulatory steps. Until that clearance is secured, the proposed services cannot be treated as fully authorised.
The latest known position is that Virgin is pursuing permission for up to 20 daily journeys, but its ability to run them will depend on receiving the necessary approval for the non-UK sections of the route.
