Cardiff Central is set for a major transformation after the UK government approved the final business case and funding package for a comprehensive upgrade of Wales’s busiest railway station.
The UK Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed £77.8m of investment toward the project, alongside £40m from the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal and £21m from the Welsh government, creating a joint funding package of around £140m.
The scheme will deliver a new landmark southern entrance, a larger main concourse and an extended platform 0 to boost capacity at a station that already handles more than 35,000 passengers a day, with numbers surging during major events such as the Six Nations.
The DfT said the upgrades are designed to tackle overcrowding, reduce congestion and significantly improve accessibility for users with reduced mobility.
Work is expected to begin in spring 2026, with most of the construction due to be completed by 2029.
Heidi Alexander, secretary of state for transport, said the scheme would modernise a key gateway to the Welsh capital.
“The improvements to Cardiff Central will transform the experience of the millions of passengers who use the station every year, welcoming people through a spacious, modern station befitting of the city it serves,” she said.
“Not only will this improve experiences for passengers, but it will also improve capacity in the station and unlock connectivity with the rest of Wales and beyond – supporting jobs and helping to kickstart economic growth.”
Plans include enhanced ticket gates to improve passenger flow, better interchange with other modes, upgraded waiting areas, expanded retail provision and new cycle storage facilities. Together, these are intended to support forecast growth in rail demand while making the station easier to navigate.
Ken Skates, cabinet secretary for Transport and North Wales, framed the approval as a turning point for Welsh rail infrastructure. “This is a major milestone for our ambitious plans to upgrade Cardiff Central station,” he said.
“The joint £140m investment between Welsh government, UK government and Cardiff Capital Region will modernise and enhance the station, benefitting passengers and accommodating our ambitions for long-term growth.
“This demonstrates how two governments working in partnership can address historic underfunding of Welsh rail and I look forward to more major transport developments progressing across Wales.”
The scheme forms part of a wider £445m DfT investment in rail infrastructure across Wales, including increased train services to Cardiff, new stations in South Wales and more frequent services on the North Wales Mainline and the Wrexham–Liverpool route.
In addition, the UK government has committed a further £50m for a new Cardiff Metro station with a direct connection to Cardiff Bay, laying the groundwork for future extensions to the north-west and east of the city as part of the wider South Wales Metro vision.
Transport for Wales will play a central role in delivering the Cardiff Central upgrade. Alexia Course, chief commercial officer at Transport for Wales, said:
“The approval of the full business case gives us the green light to forge ahead with our plans to deliver much needed enhancements to Cardiff Central Station.
“The investment of up to £140 million means we can deliver improvements to the station to make it fit for a capital city and sustain future growth, providing a better experience for our station customers.”
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