A major £140 million project to transform Cardiff Central, Wales's busiest railway station, is poised to take a crucial step forward this week, with an official announcement expected on Thursday.
Funding and Vision for a Modern Gateway
The significant redevelopment, spearheaded by Transport for Wales, has secured its financial backing through a partnership. The funding will come jointly from the UK and Welsh governments, alongside the Cardiff Capital Region. The regional body has committed a substantial £40 million from its £1.2 billion City Deal fund specifically for this project.
While the upgrade will not introduce new platforms or tracks—aside from extending platform zero—its focus is on dramatically improving passenger flow and experience. The plans include creating a larger concourse to increase overall capacity and installing additional gate-lines to ease access.
Heritage Meets Future Capacity
A key architectural feature will be a new southern entrance, designed with a brick arch to complement the station's historical character. The project aims to modernise the facility while respecting its heritage. Further enhancements involve constructing a new building on the west wing to provide a dedicated waiting area and new retail space.
The station, which is owned by Network Rail and operated by Transport for Wales, currently handles approximately 13 million passengers annually. However, with the forthcoming £1 billion electrification of the core Valley Lines and the introduction of new tram-trains next year, passenger numbers are projected to surge to over 20 million within the next decade.
Path to Delivery and Euro 2028 Deadline
Having already received planning consent, the project submitted its business case to the Department for Transport in spring 2025. The anticipated announcement will mark its transition into the delivery phase. The ambitious timeline targets completion before the Principality Stadium hosts the opening match of the men's Euro 2028 football tournament.
There is a noted debate around funding, with arguments that the UK Government should bear a larger share, as Cardiff Central remains a non-devolved asset. This perspective is bolstered by comparison to the billions spent revamping key stations in England, such as Reading and Birmingham New Street. Plans for the station's transformation were first discussed around a decade ago, making this week's expected progress a landmark moment for Welsh infrastructure.
