**First Glimpse Revealed of Cardiff’s £100m Tramway: Images and Route Map Unveiled**
Cardiff is poised for a dramatic overhaul of its urban transport landscape, as plans for the capital’s first modern tram system in generations continue to take shape. The city council has released a collection of visualisations and an updated route map, offering the public a closer look at how the eagerly anticipated Cardiff Crossrail will appear. With an estimated price tag of £100m for the first stage alone, this project is expected to set the tone for Cardiff’s future as a more connected, sustainable city.
The initial phase, which has now secured funding from both the Welsh and UK governments, will see the introduction of tram-trains running directly through city streets—from Central Station down to Cardiff Bay. Construction is expected to commence following preparatory works this year, with trams scheduled to begin service by the summer of 2028. As part of a citywide vision, additional plans include the opening of a new railway station just off Newport Road, further integrating Cardiff’s evolving travel networks.
Images released by Cardiff Council present an ambitious transformation for Callaghan Square, where vehicular routes will be reconfigured to accommodate the new tramway. The new service will depart from a purpose-built, two-platform stop situated on the southern side of Central Station’s current car park. From there, trams will traverse Callaghan Square before converging with the existing train tracks that serve the route from Queen Street to Cardiff Bay—a line that will also benefit from an extra platform to handle increased passenger volumes.
The overarching concept is that this modern tram route will not only reshape daily commutes but also facilitate future growth. While the confirmed first stage focuses on the city centre-to-Bay corridor, the long-term ambition includes pushing the line further south to Pierhead Street and eventually extending eastward to connect emerging communities in the city’s eastern districts. Meanwhile, proposals also envisage constructing a western link, allowing trams to merge onto the established rail network and offer seamless journeys to communities with limited transport options.
However, extending these tram lines into wider Cardiff will depend largely on securing future funding. As of now, the Chancellor’s recent budget announcement has allocated £445m for rail infrastructure projects across Wales, yet it remains unclear if this sum will be sufficient to cover future network expansions beyond the first phase.
In readiness for Cardiff’s role as UEFA European Championships host in 2028, the expectation is that tram services will be operational for major events at the Principality Stadium, providing a vital transport boost for thousands of visitors. Council officials have signalled their intention to complete detailed design work by the end of this year, with major construction activities earmarked for 2026.
Dan De’Ath, Cardiff Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, has described the tram system as a “bold and ambitious” step towards connecting Cardiff’s most underserved communities. “With further investment, we plan to deliver a reliable, affordable cross-city tram service that links some of Cardiff’s most underserved communities to the rail network for the first time,” he stated, underlining the social as well as economic promise of the scheme.
From a national perspective, both UK and Welsh government leaders have praised the project. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander hailed the tram as “real progress in delivering better, greener transport for Cardiff,” citing its potential to spur economic growth and new opportunities across the capital. Similarly, Ken Skates of the Welsh Government described it as “ambitious and innovative,” welcoming the council’s efforts to advance legal and planning steps necessary to make the project a reality.
Public engagement has played a central role in shaping the design, with Transport for Wales’ infrastructure chief, Dan Tipper, highlighting the contribution of community feedback gathered during last autumn’s consultation. He emphasised hopes that the tram would encourage Cardiff residents to adopt more environmentally friendly travel behaviour, reducing congestion and supporting the city’s green aspirations.
As construction draws closer, residents and stakeholders alike remain focused on the long-term legacy of Cardiff Crossrail. If successfully funded and delivered, the network could transform not only how people move around the city, but how Cardiff continues to grow as a sustainable capital on the world stage.