Is there space for a further Channel Tunnel operator at the Temple Mills depot off the HS1 line at Stratford? The issue rumbles on, with ORR expected to make a decision on the issue by this autumn according to The Times today.
But what if the extra capacity at the depot and workshop there were to be allocated to the incumbent, to Eurostar itself? The argument goes like this: capacity at Temple Mills is limited, and will be allocated to the companies – likely only one more than the incumbent Eurostar – that are best placed to use that extra capacity. And who is best placed to provide more services through the Channel Tunnel? Well, Eurostar itself, you would think.
It was now more than a year ago – 15 May 2024 – that FT first reported that Eurostar Group was on the verge of signing a contract for 50 new trains. At the time of writing nothing has been signed. And since the UK sold its stake in Eurostar in 2015, and Eurostar merged with Thalys in 2022 (now altogether called Eurostar Group), the operational direction is clear: French state owned railway group SNCF owns 56% and calls the operational shots, and Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) and Federated Hermes Infrastructure that together own 25% simply want the group to make a profit.
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