Virgin has received approval from the UK Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to operate cross-channel rail services to compete with Eurostar.
The approval will allow Virgin to run up to 20 daily return services between London and Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam, with the agreement running from October 1, 2030, to December 31, 2040.
ORR said Virgin still had to secure rolling stock for the services and get safety approval from UK and EU authorities. The rail operator also needs to secure access to rail networks in mainland Europe.
China tests world’s fastest train
China has tested a high-speed train that reached 800km per hour from a standstill in about five seconds, breaking its own acceleration record.
According to The Independent, the maglev train accelerated to 800kmh in just 5,3 seconds on a 1km test-track at the Donghu Laboratory in Hubei province.
Maglev trains use magnetic forces to levitate above the track, allowing them to travel at high speeds with minimal friction.
