Eurostar has urged future cross-Channel rail operators to invest in new maintenance depots in the South East of England, in view of the imminent liberalisation of the market and the arrival of competitors such as Evolyn, Virgin and Gemini.
The company, which has held the monopoly of high-speed services between London and the continent since 1994, warns that the current Temple Mills International (TMI) depot in East London does not have enough capacity to meet the needs of up to 100 additional trains expected due to the sector’s expansion. These depots are the only ones adapted to the European gauge.
UK regulator ORR and consultancy Ipex recently concluded that Temple Mills could take on a few more trains, but Eurostar argues that its capacity is insufficient. Especially considering its growth plans, which include purchasing 50 new trains to carry up to 30 million passengers a year.
Eurostar proposes that new operators invest in alternative facilities, such as the Ashford depots or the construction of new hubs in the London area.
“We support competition, but without investment in infrastructure, the huge potential of international rail cannot be realised,” said Gareth Williams, Eurostar’s Secretary General.
