**Major Disruption Expected as Cardiff Bay Rail Line Shuts for 15 Days**
Cardiff’s transport network is poised for significant disruption this month as one of its key railway lines is scheduled to be closed for major development. The Cardiff Bay branch line will pause all services for over two weeks, beginning Saturday 10 May and lasting through to Sunday 25 May. Commuters and residents are being advised to plan ahead and check updates before making their journeys during this period of extensive rail engineering.
The closure forms part of an ambitious upgrade under the South Wales Metro project, led by Transport for Wales (TfW). The focus of this major overhaul is the modernisation and expansion of the local rail infrastructure, with two principal upgrades in sight: construction of a new two-platform station in northern Butetown, and the redevelopment of the current Cardiff Bay station. This initiative aims to support growing passenger numbers and improve connections for residents and visitors alike.
Throughout this 15-day interval, all rail services between Cardiff Queen Street and Cardiff Bay will be temporarily suspended. Additionally, the usual half-hourly services linking Pontypridd and Cardiff Bay will not operate during the works. When asked about passenger alternatives, TfW confirmed that valid rail tickets will be accepted on Cardiff Bus routes during this period, affording some flexibility for regular rail users.
For those needing to travel outside typical hours, limited replacement bus services are set to run between Cardiff Queen Street and Cardiff Bay on select early mornings and late evenings. Notably, on Saturday 18 May, further bus services will connect Radyr and Cardiff Bay. However, authorities are urging all passengers to consult the latest travel information before setting out, as arrangements may be subject to change.
The core of the engineering work involves both track renewal and preparatory tasks for the expanded rail facilities. New tracks will be installed across the Cardiff Bay branch, particularly to serve the forthcoming platform two at Cardiff Bay station. This new platform will, upon completion, replace the current platform one for trains arriving from Cardiff Queen Street. The closure is intended to provide a safe environment for these far-reaching engineering activities, allowing for sheet piling works at the future Butetown station as well.
Another profound change will take effect just after the closure finishes, beginning Monday 26 May. Access to Cardiff Bay station from Bute Street onto platform one will be permanently withdrawn. Instead, passengers will be rerouted to use the new platform two from the Lloyd George Avenue side, marking a notable shift in local foot traffic patterns and likely affecting daily routines for many commuters.
Dan Tipper, Chief Infrastructure Officer at TfW, underlined the transformative scope of the project, describing it as one of the most substantial upgrades to public transport in the Butetown and Cardiff Bay districts in several decades. He highlighted the installation of new overhead wires, a crucial step towards introducing modern electric rolling stock and delivering more frequent, environmentally friendly services. In his remarks, he thanked customers and local residents for their patience during what he acknowledged could be a testing period.
While the scheduled works inevitably mean inconvenience for some, advocates of the scheme point to considerable long-term benefits, from addressing capacity issues to driving further regeneration in this fast-evolving area of Cardiff. Local authorities hope the project will play a key role in shaping the city’s future transport options and fostering regional economic development.
Passengers who rely on these services are urged to stay engaged with travel news and updates from Transport for Wales. Information on replacement buses, ticket acceptance on local buses, and redirected access routes at Cardiff Bay station will be regularly updated to help ease the transition during this critical phase of development.
With construction teams set to work intensively over a short window, the transformation of Cardiff’s Bay line is another clear example of the wider drive across Wales to modernise transport networks and provide greener, more reliable alternatives for years to come.