Eurostar has called on potential rival operators to invest in new depot facilities to ¡°unleash international rail growth¡± between the UK and continental Europe.

Several companies, including Virgin Group and Trenitalia owner FS Italiane Group, have unveiled plans to compete with Eurostar by offering high-speed rail services between the UK and mainland Europe.

Earlier this month, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), which regulates the UK¡¯s railways, said that Eurostar¡¯s existing London train depot at Temple Mills would be able to accommodate additional trains from rival operators ¡°if required¡±.

But Eurostar said in an official response to the ORR report that there should be ¡°a long-term plan for international rail, which considers the growth ambitions of all operators and encourages private investment in new depot facilities beyond Temple Mills¡±.

Eurostar said that the ORR¡¯s report did not consider its own plans to spend €2 billion on buying up to 50 new trains, as well as ¡°intensifying use of its current fleet to provide more services¡±.

The company emphasised that ¡°a number of options alongside Temple Mills could be considered in Kent and East London and encourages other operators to invest in new facilities¡±.

Gareth Williams, Eurostar's general secretary, added: ¡°We support competition and growth through international rail, but without serious investment in infrastructure to create more room, we risk not fulfilling the massive potential of sustainable European travel.

¡°This is an enormously positive problem to solve as the demand and the willing is there. Eurostar wants to help find solutions. What¡¯s needed now is a big picture vision and investment by any operator who wishes in new depot facilities at Temple Mills and beyond.¡±?