Developers are aiming to reveal the new-look Cardiff Central train station just in time for the 2028 European Championships. According to a document released prior to a Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) scrutiny committee meeting, a planning application for the multimillion-pound transformation is anticipated to be submitted between October and December 2024.
Transport for Wales (TfW) is set to present a business case for the project and an expected timeline to CCR scrutiny committee members on October 10. The report highlights the urgent need to upgrade Cardiff Central due to issues such as accessibility, overcrowding, safety, and performance. The station’s capacity is crucial for the overall South Wales Metro programme, linking the South Wales Mainline and Core Valley Lines.
Cardiff Central redevelopment involves key stakeholders like CCR, the Department for Transport, and the Welsh Government. In 2018, CCR provisionally allocated £40 million of City Deal funding for the project, with contributions from the UK Government (£77 million) and the Welsh Government (£21 million). A full business case is projected to be shared with stakeholders by November’s end, followed by procurement for design and construction work by the year’s close.
If all proceeds as planned, detailed design and enabling works are expected in 2025, with construction potentially finishing by June 2028. The proposed development includes changes not just to the station but also the surrounding area. Plans also feature a new tramline connecting Cardiff Central to Cardiff Bay, with the first phase incorporating a two-platform tram station into Cardiff Central’s south side. The route will run through Callaghan Square before joining the existing line between Cardiff Bay and Queen Street station.