Work underway on Cardiff Transport Interchange

Economy Secretary, Ken Skates was joined by Cardiff Council Leader, Huw Thomas, Network Rail Wales’ Route Managing Director (Acting), Bill Kelly, and Chief Executive of Rightacres Property Company, Paul McCarthy on a visit to the site.

The Metro Delivery Partnership has been established to drive forward progress of Cardiff’s  Integrated Transport Hub, which includes both the Bus Station, upgrading the Central Station and improving access for bicycles, pedestrians, cars etc.

And it has  been further cemented by a collaborative working agreement, signed by the Welsh Government, Cardiff Council, Network Rail and developer, Rightacres, to help ensure a co-ordinated and  partnership led approach to delivering a modern and integrated metro system for South Wales.

The Welsh Government recently acquired the site for the new Interchange from Cardiff Council for £15m, including the rights to the original design, transport analysis, ground conditions, utility information and architectural principles.

The new Transport Interchange will be much more than just a bus station and will include 300 apartments specifically designed for the rental market, 80,000 sq. FT of Grade A office space and related car parking. The bus station itself will include 14 stands for buses and coaches. The project is scheduled to complete by mid-2021.

The bus station and interchange is just one element of the wider hub. Others developments  include:

• New offices, residential and leisure facilities in the Central Quay area
• Improvements to and around the Cardiff Central Station to improve access for pedestrians, train and Metro passengers;
• Increased space for Metro lines;
• Bringing  coach services back into Cardiff city centre;
• Increased space for coaches, car parking, a new  bicycle hub in Central Quay and 1000 cycle spaces, south and north of the railway line.
• Increased passenger capacity at Cardiff Central Station to make it a  fitting gateway to the capital city of Wales.

Economy and Transport Secretary, Ken Skates said:

“I am pleased that following the Welsh Government’s acquisition of the Interchange Site,  we have been able to move quickly  to the start of construction on this vital  project.

“As a Welsh Government we are committed to creating modern, integrated metro networks that put users right at their  heart. Working with our partners we want to provide world class, accessible public transport that  encourages the modal shift we need  and  sparks inclusive economic growth across  wider geographical regions.

“The Cardiff Central interchange is key to our wider  vision for the South Wales Metro and we are proud to be working with Cardiff Council, Network Rail and Right Acres, under the terms of our newly agreed collaboration agreement,  to make it a reality.

“I am proud that Welsh Government involvement in this partnership is helping to deliver solutions that are firmly focussed on economic growth, and I am confident this will help attract wider investment. It is a model I’m keen to explore in other areas of Wales, too.”

Leader of Cardiff Council, Cllr Huw Thomas said:

“By working together, all of the partners are now in a position to move this project forwards. A huge amount of work has taken place since last May to ensure this development can be built on a fully commercial basis, and through the Welsh Government’s involvement we can now secure Grade A offices as part of the final mixed-use scheme. This gives us an excellent opportunity to secure the major inward-investment project that we have all been working towards for some time.”

Bill Kelly, acting route managing director for Wales and Borders, said:

“I was proud to sign the Metro Delivery Partnership agreement. The railway helps to connect people, businesses and communities, as well as supporting economic growth.

“We will continue to work with the Welsh Government and other partners to deliver for passengers and the people of Wales.”