Cardiff Central Station, the busiest rail hub in Wales, is set for a major transformation after the UK government gave final approval to a £77.8 million
redevelopment package.
Announced on 4 December 2025 by the Department for Transport and the Wales Office, the investment will fund a complete overhaul of the station, including a new landmark southern entrance, a significantly larger main concourse and an extended Platform 0 to boost capacity. The station currently serves more than 35,000 passengers a day, with numbers surging during major events such as the Six Nations.
The £77.8 million in UK government funding is supported by an additional £40 million from the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal and £21 million from the Welsh Government.
The approval of the final business case clears the way for construction to begin in spring 2026, with most of the work expected to be completed by 2029.
The redevelopment forms part of a wider £445 million investment by the Department for Transport to improve rail infrastructure across Wales. This broader programme includes increased train services to Cardiff, new stations in South Wales, and enhanced services along the North Wales Mainline and the Wrexham–Liverpool route.
Once completed, the modernised station is expected to strengthen links between Wales and the rest of the UK, helping to break down barriers to travel, employment and economic opportunity.
Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport, said: “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.
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”.
The redevelopment will also include enhanced ticket gates to improve passenger flow, better integration with other transport modes, upgraded waiting areas, improved retail facilities and additional cycle storage.
Jo Stevens, Secretary of State for Wales, said: “The UK government is investing in improving rail services in Wales with new stations, faster trains and more services connecting people with the well-paid jobs we are creating across the country and driving our economic growth.
Our contribution to the funding of the redevelopment of Cardiff Central Station is a key part of this programme and will see Wales’s biggest station transformed to improve the experience of passengers by alleviating congestion and making the station more accessible”.
The upgrades are also designed to tackle overcrowding and improve accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility.
Alongside the £445 million rail investment, the government has also committed a further £50 million towards a new Cardiff Metro station with a direct link to Cardiff Bay, with future extensions planned to the north-west and east of the city.
Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, said: “This is a major milestone for our ambitious plans to upgrade Cardiff Central station.
The joint £140 million 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 2 governments working in partnership can address historic underfunding of Welsh rail and I look forward to more major transport developments progressing across Wales”.
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.
Working with our design and build contractor, we can now move forward with the start of construction works next year”.