- Posts: 140
- Joined: Thu Jul 24, 2014 8:07 am
Good news? have a strong leader behind regen of cardiff central?
ns to transform Cardiff Central Station into a key transport hub fit for the 21st century need to be accelerated so that any project is "shovel ready" by 2019, says leader of Cardiff council Phil Bale.
Network Rail in Wales recently published a wish list of projects it hopes will be funded in the next UK rail investment period, so called control period six, from 2019 to 2024.
This includes a redevelopment, potentially running into several hundred million pounds, of the train station, which last year accommodated 13 million passengers, but is forecast to reach 22 million by 2023 and 32 million by 2043.
While keeping the listed facade of the station, plans could see new retail space in the station itself, as well office developments on the south side of the station on the site of the current car park which is owned by Network Rail.
How a redeveloped Cardiff Train Station could look. Image by architects Powell Dobson
With increased passenger projections, fuelled in part by the electrification of the Valleys Lines and the Welsh Government’s Metro project, Mr Bale said it was vital that Cardiff Train Station is developed not only to accommodate increased demand, but that any development was “seamless” with the Central Square regeneration scheme immediate in front of the station, in the creation of a wider and vibrant business district for the city.
Related content: A guide to the South Wales Metro
The first office scheme at Central Square is close to being fully let. Work is under way for a new HQ for BBC Wales and the 135,000 sq ft 2 Central Square office scheme.
Related content: Planning application for 2 Central Square
An initial feasibility study, commissioned by Network Rail, for the station’s redevelopment has been carried out.
How Cardiff Train Station could look if redeveloped above track level. Image by architects Powell Dobson
However, Mr Bale said that millions would be needed for a more detailed feasibility study, including an in-depth analysis of further passenger trends.
Network Rail’s assets and investment decisions are currently not devolved to the Welsh Government, but come under the UK Government and its Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin.
And plans for the station will be up against investment bids for station and rail improvements across the whole of the rail network in England and Wales.
The bottomline is that Network Rail, which has been highly criticised following major overspends and delays on existing projects, including electrification of the Great Western Mainline for London to Swansea , will not be able to take all the projects forward.
And the future of Network Rail itself is also unclear. It is possible, that alongside controlling the Wales and borders rail franchise from 2019, the Welsh Government could also have direct powers over Network Rail’s rail infrastructure assets in Wales.
Do you think plans to transform Cardiff Train Station will get the go ahead?
YES
NO
However, Mr Bale said he will continue to make the case to the UK Government, with the backing of leaders across the Cardiff Capital City Region, for the station's redevelopment to be included in the next investment period.
He said: “We have seen huge sums of money invested by Network Rail at other UK stations, including £600m at New Street Station in Birmingham and £130m at Waverley Station in Edinburgh.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/b ... n-11204262
ns to transform Cardiff Central Station into a key transport hub fit for the 21st century need to be accelerated so that any project is "shovel ready" by 2019, says leader of Cardiff council Phil Bale.
Network Rail in Wales recently published a wish list of projects it hopes will be funded in the next UK rail investment period, so called control period six, from 2019 to 2024.
This includes a redevelopment, potentially running into several hundred million pounds, of the train station, which last year accommodated 13 million passengers, but is forecast to reach 22 million by 2023 and 32 million by 2043.
While keeping the listed facade of the station, plans could see new retail space in the station itself, as well office developments on the south side of the station on the site of the current car park which is owned by Network Rail.
How a redeveloped Cardiff Train Station could look. Image by architects Powell Dobson
With increased passenger projections, fuelled in part by the electrification of the Valleys Lines and the Welsh Government’s Metro project, Mr Bale said it was vital that Cardiff Train Station is developed not only to accommodate increased demand, but that any development was “seamless” with the Central Square regeneration scheme immediate in front of the station, in the creation of a wider and vibrant business district for the city.
Related content: A guide to the South Wales Metro
The first office scheme at Central Square is close to being fully let. Work is under way for a new HQ for BBC Wales and the 135,000 sq ft 2 Central Square office scheme.
Related content: Planning application for 2 Central Square
An initial feasibility study, commissioned by Network Rail, for the station’s redevelopment has been carried out.
How Cardiff Train Station could look if redeveloped above track level. Image by architects Powell Dobson
However, Mr Bale said that millions would be needed for a more detailed feasibility study, including an in-depth analysis of further passenger trends.
Network Rail’s assets and investment decisions are currently not devolved to the Welsh Government, but come under the UK Government and its Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin.
And plans for the station will be up against investment bids for station and rail improvements across the whole of the rail network in England and Wales.
The bottomline is that Network Rail, which has been highly criticised following major overspends and delays on existing projects, including electrification of the Great Western Mainline for London to Swansea , will not be able to take all the projects forward.
And the future of Network Rail itself is also unclear. It is possible, that alongside controlling the Wales and borders rail franchise from 2019, the Welsh Government could also have direct powers over Network Rail’s rail infrastructure assets in Wales.
Do you think plans to transform Cardiff Train Station will get the go ahead?
YES
NO
However, Mr Bale said he will continue to make the case to the UK Government, with the backing of leaders across the Cardiff Capital City Region, for the station's redevelopment to be included in the next investment period.
He said: “We have seen huge sums of money invested by Network Rail at other UK stations, including £600m at New Street Station in Birmingham and £130m at Waverley Station in Edinburgh.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/b ... n-11204262