£100m Crossrail project moves into construction phase
Mark Mansfield
Work on the first phase of Cardiff Crossrail is due to begin later this month, marking the start of a long-planned tram-train link between Cardiff city centre and Cardiff Bay.
Enabling works at Callaghan Square will start on June 15 as part of a joint project between Cardiff Council and Transport for Wales. Construction firm GRAHAM has been appointed principal contractor for the first phase of the scheme.
Backed by £100 million from the Welsh Government and the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, the project will create a new tram-train connection between Cardiff Central station and Cardiff Bay via the new Loudoun Square station, which is currently under construction.
The first phase will also include new tram platforms at Cardiff Central, an additional platform at Cardiff Bay station, a twin-track tramway through Callaghan Square, segregated cycle routes, new pedestrian areas and changes to the road layout.
The scheme forms part of a wider vision for Cardiff Crossrail, which aims to create a modern tram network linking the Plasdwr development in the north-west of the city with the proposed Cardiff Parkway station in the east.
Cardiff Council said the route would help meet growing demand for public transport and improve links between the city centre, Cardiff Bay and the new 16,500-capacity indoor arena currently being built at Atlantic Wharf.
Cabinet member for climate change, strategic planning and transport, Cllr Dan De’Ath, said the project represented a major investment in the city’s transport infrastructure.
He said: “This is a long-term investment in Cardiff’s public transport infrastructure and will play a key role in supporting major developments across the city, including the redevelopment of Cardiff Central Railway Station, the regeneration of Callaghan Square, the new indoor arena and the Atlantic Wharf redevelopment in Cardiff Bay.
“The vision for Cardiff Crossrail is clearly set out in the city’s 10-year transport vision. This is about building a greener, more sustainable and affordable transport system for the city.”
While no road closures are planned during the initial phase of works, traffic lanes on Callaghan Square will be reduced while utility diversions and site clearance take place.
Motorists have been advised to consider alternative routes into the city centre, with variable message signs already in place on major roads approaching Cardiff.
Improved connectivity
Deputy Transport Minister Mark Hooper said: “I am delighted that work is due to start this month on Cardiff Crossrail. I am committed to the delivery of high quality, affordable public transport and thanks to the Welsh Government’s £50m investment, Cardiff Crossrail will improve connectivity in our capital city.”
Transport for Wales chief infrastructure officer Dan Tipper described the start of works as “an important milestone” and said the project would form a key part of the wider South Wales Metro network.
The enabling works are expected to be the first visible stage of a project that Cardiff Council and Transport for Wales hope will transform public transport across the city over the coming decade.
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That artist’s impression is very, very grey. Haven’t Cardiff learnt from the central station square design?
It’s OK, all the druggies demanding multiple nooks and crannies to ‘shoot up’ in public have been provided with very nice hotel rooms by the council, though the tourists now have nowhere to stay so they need the train to Bristol for their safe accommodation.
Will the second Marquess of Bute be going on further travels? He has bounced around several times. Plus are they keeping the fountain. Obviously incredibly important questions 🙂
The dated Callaghan Square has degraded to become the run down domain of skateboards and graffiti, so little worth saving and time for a massive revamp.
A pathetic joke. All that money on half a mile when there is already a rail link, bus services etc. Or you could just walk! Imagine if this money was spent on the M4 relief road, improving links to English urban centres such as Bristol, valleys buses etc. Hilarious. And utterly utterly disgusting.
The tram is actually over a mile to the Bay, a distance more and more people now refuse to walk. It’s also over half a mile to walk in the wrong direction to Queen Street station for the current train to the Bay. As for Bristol, they’ve just wasted big money on a failed legal challenge to stop another city in another country from investing in an airport because it doesn’t want competition. I personally don’t want any connection to a city built from slavery. Agree on the M4 relief road past Newport, but that 2019 failure will be Dripfords… Read more »
You also haven’t understood the Crossrail project if you think it’s a bay shuttle.
Looks bleak.
Waste of money, from a Cardiffian.
Google “green tramway” for alternative designs.
Here’s an idea – let’s restrict vehicle movements, for an indeterminate period, on one of the city’s only (already massively congested for long periods) 2 roads that lead to the major car parks & is one of the few cross-Cardiff routes. The new car park in the Bay will only replace parking lost @ the Red Dragon centre & the new multi storey CP over there looks a very long way from completion. Great planning!
There’s no alternative to build this essential core section for Crossrail. This more important roads story for Cardiff is finishing the ring road.