Two busy bus stops in Cardiff city centre will close for a year as a key construction phase for the long-awaited bus station begins. Bus stops JM and JN to the rear of Cardiff Central Station will not be in use from Tuesday, September 20, as work begins on building the southern entrance to Cardiff Bus Interchange at Central Square and the car park within the building.
The bus stops are closing due to the part closure of Penarth Road and Saunders Road as the work begins. As part of these works, Saunders Road will be fully reconstructed with new controlled pedestrian crossings, Cardiff council said.
Meanwhile, the section of Penarth Road between Saunders Road and West Canal Wharf, opposite the train station car park will be made one way. It will be restricted to southbound traffic only, with the northbound bus stop removed and a loading bay installed opposite the Clayton Hotel.
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Whilst the works are taking place, the taxi rank will be temporarily moved by Transport for Wales (TfW) to Penarth Road for four to six months. Once the works are complete, southbound buses will return to Penarth Road, and the taxi rank will be reinstated on Saunders Road.
Four routes will be affected by the closure of the bus stops. Services 1, 2, 6 and CAVC Rider will divert via St Mary Street underpass instead. It is expected that the transport interchange, which will include a new 14-bay bus station, will be completed by spring or summer next year. Cardiff has lacked a dedicated bus station since 2015. The transport interchange will be operated by TfW.
Cardiff's bus station is expected to open in summer 2023 and is set to consist of a 14-bay station, 318 for-rent apartments, two floors of office space and a retail unit. The capital of Wales has been without a dedicated bus station since 2015.
However, after years of setbacks, controversy, and delays, it seems as though progress is finally being made on the building. Although despite the building continuing to develop, and the Welsh Government reaffirming a completion date in 2022, it won't be until 2023 that passengers can actually use it.
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