Cardiff is on the cusp of a major transport revolution as details emerge about an ambitious tramway project set to reshape the Welsh capital’s connectivity and revitalise communities. On November 14, 2025, officials unveiled fresh insights into the £100 million Cardiff Crossrail tramway, a project that promises to bridge the gap between Cardiff Central railway station and Cardiff Bay, offering a direct rail link for the first time in the city’s history, according to New Civil Engineer and Nation.Cymru.
This “mammoth” undertaking, as described by city leaders, is the result of years of planning, collaboration, and overcoming bureaucratic hurdles. The initial green light was given back in April 2022, but the project soon became mired in delays as the Welsh Government conducted a comprehensive review. Now, with the dust beginning to settle, the scheme is moving forward, promising not only improved transport but also a boost to jobs and growth in some of Wales’ most deprived neighborhoods.
Phase 1a of the Cardiff Crossrail is at the heart of the plan. Spanning 800 meters and carrying a price tag of £100 million, this first phase will lay the foundation for a broader light rail system. Andrew Gregory, Cardiff Council’s director of planning, transport, and environment, told New Civil Engineer, “In terms of Phase 1a, that forms the catalyst to create an east-west link, but it also has a focus on providing the spinal connection of a big development corridor from Cardiff city centre to Cardiff Bay.”
The tramway will begin at a dedicated stop at Cardiff Central Station, pass through Callaghan Square, and link up with the existing Cardiff Bay railway line. This route is more than just a convenience; it’s a lifeline for the southern arc of the city, an area long recognised as one of the most deprived in Wales. The hope is that by connecting these communities directly to the city centre, the project will help unlock new jobs and economic opportunities.
The timing couldn’t be better. Cardiff Bay is set to welcome a new 16,500-capacity indoor arena at Atlantic Wharf, expected to open in 2028. The Crossrail line will serve this major new venue, further cementing its role as a key artery in the city’s future transport network. Gregory added, “Between the new arena being built in Cardiff Bay and Cardiff Central Station, there are further development works going on in the city. Phase 1a will form the sustainable transport spine of that development corridor. Crossrail is the first step in achieving the sustainable transport vision for the city.”
Funding for the project has come from both the Welsh Government and the UK Government, each contributing £50 million—the latter through the Levelling Up Fund. The collaborative effort between Cardiff Council and Transport for Wales (TfW) was crucial in securing this backing, and the project dovetails with wider improvements to the South Wales Metro system.
Indeed, the Crossrail tramway will integrate with the newly upgraded Core Valley Lines network, which has seen 170 kilometers of track electrified and numerous stations and signals modernised since 2020. Earlier this year, TfW began testing new electric tram-trains on the recently electrified Valleys railway lines, marking another leap forward for public transport in the region, as reported by WalesOnline.
While Phase 1a is now well underway, Phase 1b—envisioned as an extension through Cardiff Bay to the historic Pierhead building—remains at the concept stage. The refurbishment of Cardiff Central Station is also on the horizon as a separate but related project.
Delivering such a complex scheme has required a formidable team. WSP was appointed in early 2024 to provide programme and management services, working alongside cost consultant Rider Levett Bucknall. Construction engineering company Graham Group secured the contract to design and build Phase 1a, while Amey was brought on as a design partner for highways, drainage, and public spaces. Highway and public realm works are expected to begin in spring 2026, with the construction of tram tracks and platforms at Cardiff Central Station planned for late 2026. If all goes to plan, the new tram link should be fully operational by mid-2028.
But such a transformative project doesn’t come without its challenges. Conceptualising the tramway has been a complicated affair, involving the integration of new routes with old infrastructure and the coordination of multiple, interconnected developments. Cardiff Council’s operational manager for major projects, Gethin Shields, explained to New Civil Engineer that collaboration has been key, especially given the mountain of documentation required. “It goes through all the transport assessments, planning documentation, heritage impact assessments, drainage, all those things that you would normally have to do for the project. Documentation has been one of the challenges, but it’s been overcome through the strong relationships and collaboration that the council and TfW have had working together.”
The project will also bring improvements to active travel routes, including new walking, wheeling, and cycling links, and better footways for pedestrians. This will necessitate changes to the road layout at Callaghan Square and adjustments to traffic routing in the area. Shields noted, “One of the biggest challenges we had was during the concept design stage, where we were coming up with an arrangement for the Callaghan highway and tramway that worked for everybody. We were working towards an optimal solution that wouldn’t cause massive congestion.”
To grapple with these issues, engineers used automatic number plate recognition cameras and traffic simulation software to build a comprehensive model of current conditions, allowing them to anticipate the impact of future developments. Major design challenges for Phase 1a include removing two roundabouts at Callaghan Square and reducing traffic lanes to make room for the tram line. The city’s historic canals and fragile Victorian sewers have also required careful geotechnical planning, as Graham Group’s contracts director Andrew Henry pointed out: “Where the scheme ties into the CVL in the Bute Street area, there’s an existing masonry retaining wall. However, that existing wall appears to have no foundations. So again, there are a few geotechnical challenges in development design.”
To avoid conflicts with underground utilities, engineers are building 3D models of the area’s subsurface and running clash detection processes. Henry explained, “That’s about creating a model in which all the elements tie in with each other, to make sure that involved parties are getting that model with the clash detection built in. That means we can all identify where there may be a service clash that would affect not just the track, but the support infrastructure for the track, including drainage, signal cables, power cables and so on.”
The Cardiff Crossrail team has also drawn inspiration from the Edinburgh Tram Network, learning from its use of reinforced soil structures, non-load-bearing bridge abutments, and concrete track lines to overcome similar challenges.
Meanwhile, the wider South Wales Metro project is gathering steam. On November 14, 2025, the £100 million South Wales Metro Depot at Taff’s Well was officially opened. The depot will house a fleet of 36 tram-trains, bringing 400 new jobs and supporting the transformation of travel across the region. The depot’s construction began in 2019, culminating in a state-of-the-art facility with a near 180-degree rail bend and a new Integrated Control Centre to manage signalling across the Core Valley Lines. The depot and associated upgrades at Taff’s Well station, including extended platforms and step-free access, mark a new era for public transport in South Wales.
With pay-as-you-go ticketing technology now in place and more than two million journeys recorded across 95 stations, Cardiff’s tramway and the South Wales Metro are poised to deliver faster, greener, and more accessible travel for years to come. As the city prepares for the next phase of its transport future, the lessons learned, partnerships forged, and challenges overcome stand as a testament to the determination and vision of all involved.
