Central Square

The first crane under construction today - waited a LONG time to see a crane at this site, perhaps we'll now have a period of 5 years where their will always be a crane or more operating at central square.

Nice pics, hopefully we will start seeing something rise from the ground soon.

Just wish they would knock the other buildings down ready, even if its a while before construction on those sites takes place, at least the eyesores would be gone!

Yes the sooner we see the back of some of them the sooner we'll believe that Central Square will be far more of an asset than an embarrassment. Still with No.1 going up, (completion late 2015) and would it be fair to say that the BBC is very very likely to move to the middle of the existing bus station (with building to commence next summer), that's a great kick start to all the other constructions in the scheme. I'm also glad that at last when there's a big game at the millennium stadium as there is on saturday, those visitors that notice this kind of thing (y'know people like you dear reader! and me) will see that construction is well underway at ye olde glass needle site - whilst a few may be saddened to realise that Seren is very unlikely to happen!!

Lets just hope that Serens little sister gets built and its not an ugly sister. But as it is possibly going to be a student res that might be a reality.

Great to see a crane FINALLY go up on that plot.

We knew Blake Morgan were in negotiations but they seem to have finally signed up, which is a real boost to this first building and in fact the whole scheme.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/business-news/blake-morgan-put-pen-paper-8213369

Also nice to hear that they are also in negotiations with two other potential tenants.

Well they have finally picked the site for the new bus station and its the site of marland house and the NCP car park. Demolition will soon start next year, great stuff can't wait for that.

No big surprise there then. So central square is going to be a hive of activity come 2015

Sensible decision and the timelines are okay considering the amount of red tape I'm sure they'll have to go through

Full Press Release


REVEALED - NEW BUS STATION EARMARKED FOR NORTH OF THE RAILWAY LINE


With an overwhelming 70 per cent of the public vote, a recommendation will be made to Cabinet on December 15th that the new bus station - part of the new Central Transport Hub - will be built north of the existing railway line on the Marland House/NCP car park site.
Permission will be sought from Cabinet to continue to work with transport operators and providers to bring forward a detailed design and financial plan for approval by April 2015.
The New Transport Hub will act as a catalyst for investment in this area of the city, and follows the announcement by the BBC, that they will relocate their headquarters from Llandaff to Central Square, underpinning the Central Square re-development scheme. The new bus station is proposed to be built and operational by December 2017, and in parallel the Council is committed to putting additional infrastructure in place for bus operators and users to manage the transition during the two and a half year construction programme.
The site north of the railway line is now completely owned by the City of Cardiff Council and it is anticipated that the existing buildings will be able to be demolished by the winter of 2015.
Cllr Ramesh Patel, Cabinet Member for Planning and Sustainability, said: "This strategic development will transform how public transport is delivered in this city, and I am pleased to announce that the development is on schedule, and the contingency arrangements will be in place by the time that the bus station will close in June 2015. The city is used to hosting prestigious events and has used this experience to design an adequate contingency plan for buses while there isn't a central bus station.
"The benefits of having the new development north of the existing railway line are considerable, faster bus times for the majority of bus services, less land constraints, more cost effective, better access for pedestrians, delivered quicker than the alternative site and the location has been endorsed by the public through the consultation."
Cllr Phil Bale, Leader of Cardiff City Council, said: "The new Transport Hub will provide a world class gateway into the city, interlinking travel by train and bus, as well as providing pick up and drop off areas ensuring easy access for cyclists, taxis and pedestrians. This is an exciting development and a key priority for this Council which will significantly improve journey times; make public transport more viable and a more enjoyable experience for all.
" This investment is essential for Cardiff, and will improve public transport in and around the city, to Cardiff Airport and the South Wales Valleys."
Notes to Editors:
· The existing bus station will close in June 2015 and a planning application will be submitted by Rightacres for the Central Bus Interchange in August 2015. It is anticipated that Marland House and the NCP car park will be demolished by the winter of 2015. With a two and half year build programme scheduled, the new facility is intended to be built by December 2017.
· Works have been scheduled to provide additional on street infrastructure for the bus network while the contingency arrangements are in place. Some of these works have been completed in 2010 providing additional capacity on Westgate Street, Custom House Street and Churchill Way. Additional facilities will be built by April 2015, including a new driver facility close to St Mary's Link; enhanced bus stops on Lower St Mary's Street; additional facilities in Wood Street; Havelock Street; Lower Westgate Street and Lower St Mary's Street.
· Public consultation took place between August 8th and October 3rd and 3,702 responses were received.
· The new Moving Traffic offences campaign will support the free flow of busses in around the city by ensuring that bus lanes are not used by private cars.