City tramway's first phase on track for 2028

THE FIRST phase of the ambitious Cardiff Crossrail project, with a new tram link running from Cardiff Central station to Cardiff Bay, is on track to become operational by the summer of 2028.

- SION BARRY

Phase one will deliver a dedicated Crossrail station on the south side of Cardiff Central station with the route running through Callaghan Square, before meeting the existing rail line that runs from Queen Street station and alongside Bute Street down to the Bay.

Following a public consultation on the £100m project from Cardiff council, for which it secured levelling-up funding from the former Westminster government of Boris Johnson with £50m match funding from the Welsh Government, a number of changes have been confirmed.

They council said these include:

The north section of Bute Street, travelling towards Cardiff Bay, will remain open to traffic to ensure better road access between Butetown and Cardiff Bay.

A commitment to access and inclusion groups to continue to engage through the detailed design process;

More planting and green infrastructure in Callaghan Square; and

Improved bus movements in Custom House Street and a replacement bus layover bay in Park Street.

The council, which is working on the project with Transport for Wales, said tram-trains are scheduled to become operational on the route ahead of football matches being staged at the Principality Stadium for the UEFA 2028 European Championship ships.

As part of the wider Cardiff Crossrail transport vision, and subject to funding, the aim is for it to be extended to Pierhead Street to support redevelopment plans at Atlantic Wharf alongside the new indoor arena.