Cardiff Council has announced plans for a new tree-lined public square in the city centre, offering views of City Hall and the National Museum. The proposed boulevard on Kingsway will feature seating, open space, and areas for markets, performances, gatherings, and historic statues.
Event-Ready Public Space
The council describes the development as an "event-ready public space" that will be part of a broader scheme to improve travel routes and transport links to the eastern side of the city. The area is designed to enhance pedestrian access with step-free crossings, wide footways, and new cycle routes aimed at encouraging walking and cycling.
Improved Connectivity and Safety
Alterations to the road layout and the removal of the Kingsway subway will create a "seamless link" between the city centre and the civic centre. New street-level crossings are expected to improve visibility and safety for pedestrians.
Through the Cardiff to Newport sustainable transport corridor, the council has already engaged with stakeholders to develop the plan. Further public engagement will involve residents and users to refine the design.
Phased Development
The first phase includes a new cycleway from Cardiff city centre to Cypress Drive in St Mellons and the county boundary. Measures to prioritise buses and improve journey times and reliability will also be introduced. The wider improvements to the Newport Road corridor will enhance connections to transport hubs such as Queen Street station, the bus interchange, Churchill Way, and the future Cardiff East and Parkway stations.
At a Cardiff Council meeting on June 18, cabinet members will be asked to approve the start of a tender process to appoint a contractor for the first phase. If approved, the tender process will begin in summer 2026, with construction expected to start in early 2027 and finish by summer 2028.
Cycleway Network Expansion
The new cycleway, replacing the pop-up cycleway, will connect to existing and planned routes, including the route from Stuttgarter Strasse to the University Hospital of Wales in Heath, the Roath Park cycleway, and the Rhymney Trail. The overall cycleway scheme will be split into six phases, with Phase 1a covering the city centre to West Grove junction. Future phases will extend the cycleway towards Newport, with onward links to the Taff Trail and the west of the city.
Council Comments
Councillor Dan De'Ath, cabinet member for climate change, strategic planning and transport, said: "The first phase of this scheme will be an important step towards significantly improving Kingsway and creating sustainable transport options from Cardiff to the eastern boundary of the city. We must build the infrastructure needed to make sustainable travel more attractive, including walking, cycling and public transport, to encourage people to leave their cars at home. This will support healthier lifestyles and help tackle climate change."
Public feedback has already shaped the design of the first phase, with further engagement planned for future phases.
