Richard Branson’s Virgin orders 12 international trains which could stop at two major London stations

Allow Exco Player contentThis content is provided by Exco Player and may use cookies or similar technologies. Please click 'Allow and Continue' below to load the content.

Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Sir Richard Branson is pressing ahead with plans to run international trains to the Continent which could stop at two London stations.

The Virgin Group aims to introduce 20 daily return services between the capital, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam from 2030, adding nearly 7.5 million seats to the cross-Channel route a year.

The trains, with a top speed of up to 300kmh (186mph), will operate out of St Pancras International and Virgin is exploring whether to have a second halt in London, at Stratford International.

Sir Richard Branson says it is time to ‘bring some Virgin magic’ to the cross-Channel routePA MediaLondon Mayor Lord Sadiq Khan has told how his plans for Stratford International to be used by cross-Channel services are almost “over the line”.

As the major rail development picks up speed, Virgin has put out striking images of how its fleet of black and red trains could look.

The company has signed an agreement for 12 Avelia Stream trains with French rail group Alstom which will also service them under a 30-year maintenance contract.

Josh Bayliss, chief executive of the Virgin Group, said: “We’ll be connecting London with some of Europe’s greatest cities and giving passengers a distinctive new choice in cross-Channel travel.

“Virgin has always thrived on challenging the status quo and aimed to provide our customers with a great experience.

“We’ll bring the same approach to the cross-Channel route, making the journey something to look forward to as much as the destination.”

An image of Virgin’s planned international trainsVirgin GroupRail minister Lord Hendy, a former Transport Commissioner for London, has been pushing for international trains to stop at Stratford, as well as at St Pancras International.

Virgin has been given track access for the new services between London and Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam in 2030.

Rail regulator the Office of Rail and Road has granted the approval for Sir Richard’s firm that means it will be able to run up to 20 new daily return services through the Channel Tunnel.

Plan for international trains to stop at second London station almost 'over the line'

Two London stations shortlisted for Britain’s best station award

Sadiq Khan backs international trains stopping at second major London station

Rediscover your adventurous side on an exotic getaway

The agreement covers the period between October 1 2030 to December 31 2040 and relates to tracks owned and run by London St Pancras High Speed.

Virgin has also signed an agreement with Eurostar so it can maintain its trains at the Temple Mills International depot in east London.

Cocktail bars will be featured on Eurostar’s Celestia fleetPAEurostar has so far declined to have two stops in the capital.

Disability minister Sir Stephen Timms, MP for East Ham, has been campaigning for more than 30 years for international rail services to the capital to stop at both Stratford and another London terminus, which previously was Waterloo.

A Eurostar spokesperson said: “Eurostar has no plans to operate out of Stratford International, however growing international rail is a huge opportunity for the UK and boosted infrastructure capacity is one of the ways to unlock it.

“We’ve called on the Government to use it’s convening power to bring together infrastructure providers, operators, and public bodies to solve constraints on stations and depots.“