Next deadline in Temple Mills depot application process is put back

The deadline for Temple Mills applicants and Eurostar to submit further information and representations has been put back by more than two weeks.

Eurostar, and the four firms that hope to secure some space at the international depot and start cross-Channel services (Evolyn, Gemini Trains, Trenitalia France and Virgin) originally had until July 3 to submit information to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).

The regulator has asked for information such as business plans, proof of funding for procuring rolling stock and how plans to use the depot will not negatively impact operational performance.

The July 3 deadline has now been put back to July 18.

ORR told RAIL the date had been moved “at the request of one of the applicants”.

RAIL asked all applicants if they had requested the extension, but all denied it.

Further dates in the process include replying to representations by July 31, ORR considering all information and assess applications by September 30 and issuing its decisions on each request by October 31.

"We currently still expect to be able to reach a decision by the end of October,” an ORR spokesman said.