Construction will soon commence for the brand new Butetown railway station as well as redevelopment for Cardiff Bay station

Transport for Wales confirmed during the summer of last year, plans for the building of a brand new two-platform station north of Butetown. The huge project will see work begin shortly for the new station as well as enhancement work for Cardiff Bay Station marking the largest upgrade for the area’s public transport in a generation.

Cardiff Bay station will undergo a transformation including new signage, customer information screens and much more, whilst the work is underway the station will remain open in order to keep passengers on the move.

The project will also see new track installed which will allow faster and more frequent services to operate with brand new train-trams which will support a brand new timetable from 2024.

James Price, Transport for Wales Chief Executive Officer, said: “The Bay Line transformation project is an important part of the South Wales Metro and we’re delighted to be able to begin construction work on the brand-new station in Butetown, as well as important upgrades to Cardiff Bay station.

“From 2024 we’ll be providing a smoother, greener, modern public transport service which will open up a range of opportunities for people living in Butetown and the wider Cardiff Bay area.

“We’re keen to continue working collaboratively with local residents through workshops and drop-in sessions, where people will be able to get more information and ask questions about the Bay Line transformation.”

The plans work hand in hand with a broader joint vision shared with Cardiff Council and the Welsh Government. The project will investigate possibilities for future transport routes between Cardiff Central and Newport Road via the Cardiff Bay line and Porth Teigr subject to relevant funding being sourced.

The 12th of December saw a seven-week consultation to collect feedback from members of the public and the findings of this will inform the project’s outline business case. For anyone wishing to take part in the consultation, please visit the Community and Stakeholder Engagement page on the Transport for Wales website.

Residents who live close to the railway in Cardiff Bay have been contacted regarding details of the construction and engineering work taking place locally in order to deliver the Core Valley Lines programme which is central to the development of the South Wales Metro.

Transport for Wales will begin building a construction compound on Lloyd George Avenue in January with the work on the track getting underway in early 2023. The compound will provide welfare facilities for workers.

The project will also see vegetation management carried out in order to provide the electrical clearance required for the public, staff members and infrastructure for the overhead line equipment set to be installed. Transport for Wales will use overhead line equipment to power tram-trains using electricity. The electrified lines which are being installed for the Core Valley Lines in South Wales will take place in the coming weeks including the Bay line.

Transport for Wales is highlighting the dangers of trespass as electrification work will be carried out over the coming months. The public is being urged to keep clear of any electrical lines and to obey the rules as trespassing on the railway is reckless, illegal and dangerous and if caught, can carry a fine of £1,000.

The ambitious programme between the Welsh Government and Transport for Wales sees a commitment to  Metro improvements for the Core Valley Lines which has been partially funded via the European Regional Development Fund.