Three new bridges planned over the river Taff

Alex Seabrook, local democracy reporter

Three new bridges could be built over the river Taff in Cardiff if the council is successful in securing funding for the plans from the UK government.

The bridges, for pedestrians and cyclists, would be built at the Brains Brewery development just south of the train station, the Vastint development off Dumballs Road, and at Channel View in Grangetown.

The Taff Corridor project would also include “more accessible riverfront areas”, public open spaces and commercial opportunities by the waterside.

Cardiff council is bidding for funding for the project from the UK government’s Levelling Up Fund, a £4.8 billion pot of money available for local councils across the UK.

The project is in its early stages of planning and is reliant on securing funding.

Luxury apartments

The Brains Brewery development, called Central Quay, will see hotels, offices, luxury apartments, a university campus and riverfront bars and restaurants.

The Vastint development is on the Curran Embankment, currently an industrial estate off Dumballs Road. Up to 2,500 homes could be built here, alongside 54,000 square metres of business space.

Channel View is a housing estate in south Grangetown which is due to be completely redeveloped. Cardiff council is planning to replace 180 homes on the estate with 360 new homes, including council housing and affordable housing.

Current bridges in these three areas are all road bridges, with little space provided for pedestrians and cyclists.

Other bids the council is making for the Levelling Up Fund include a tramline and park along Lloyd George Avenue and Bute Street, a visitor attraction at Forest Farm, refurbishing Cardiff Market, and a new youth centre in Ely.

Council leader Huw Thomas said: “We have been working on several ideas in the background for some time and this opportunity to secure investment could help us kick start these projects, bringing jobs and delivering a vital boost to the city as we look to renew and revitalise Cardiff and begin our recovery from the effects of the pandemic.

“These are schemes which could really help communities and businesses across the city. The UK Government has already recognised that Cardiff is a Priority 1 area in need of levelling up, so it’s vitally important they come on this journey with us and back these plans.”