The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has today written to Eurostar and new applicants seeking to run cross-channel rail services, to set out next steps for assigning access to Temple Mills International depot (TMI). Access to TMI is considered crucial to providing services from the UK to the continent.
Earlier this year, following access applications from a number of potential operators, the rail regulator commissioned an independent assessment of capacity at TMI. The regulator’s initial findings were that there is some capacity available at TMI for more trains without any changes to current practices, and some capacity could be delivered through further investment.
ORR subsequently gave stakeholders, including incumbent Eurostar, an opportunity to provide evidence that would change or support the report’s findings. ORR has now reviewed this evidence and concluded that the independent assessment is an accurate reflection of available capacity at TMI. Taken together with Eurostar and applicants’ initial plans, the assessment suggests there is room for at most one new operator, or for Eurostar to grow.
ORR now needs Eurostar and applicants to provide the detail of their plans so it can decide on the best allocation of capacity. ORR will work quickly to assess plans but is ensuring Eurostar and applicants have enough time to present a robust case. ORR expects to be able to reach a conclusion on access to TMI later this year.
ORR will consider directing access in line with its legal duties, and take a decision using its established approach to deciding competing demands for rail capacity. This will include considering:
- Availability of capacity
- How proposed services will impact operational performance
- Financial and operational readiness and viability
- Economic and societal benefits associated with the applications
- Views of stakeholders.
Martin Jones, deputy director, access and international, said: “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 will work quickly and as thoroughly as possible to determine the best use of capacity at Temple Mills.”
Image credit: ORR
