ORR hopes £5m cut in fees will attract new operators on line from St Pancras to the Channel Tunnel

The High Speed 1 line that carries Eurostar trains from London to the Channel tunnel has been forced by the regulator to cut the prices it charges rail companies in a push to open up the route to more operators.

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said it hoped the £5m annual reductions in what HS1 Ltd may charge those using its rails up to 2030 will support growth, “including the introduction of new operators”.