The Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) Cabinet have agreed to support the £180m re-development of Cardiff’s main transport hub with £40m of funding.

The proposed Metro Central project will deliver a new Central Transport Interchange at the heart of Cardiff’s city centre Core Employment Zone.

The project encompasses a new Central bus station, the modernisation of Cardiff Central train station and the delivery of a range of other transport infrastructure such as a new coach station, a cycle hub and public realm improvements.

The aim is to improve the capacity of the Central Interchange to accommodate the increased frequency of services delivered through the South Wales Metro investment, and to provide an infrastructure for jobs growth through accelerating investment in Cardiff’s Core Employment Zone.

The CCR unanimously agreed to allocate the money in principle from the City Deal Investment Fund towards the project to assist with securing match-funding from the UK government, Welsh government and the private sector and ultimately to assist with the delivery of the project.

Cllr Andrew Morgan, chair of the CCR Cabinet and leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, says: “Myself and my fellow leaders are delighted to offer City Deal support for this transformational project.

“Anyone who travels into and through Cardiff is very aware of the desperate need for improvements to the transport infrastructure, and the anticipated rapid growth of the capital city means this project is absolutely critical.

“I think it is important to stress that this a project which will benefit all of the region, particularly if we are to see the introduction of a new 15-minute service between the Valleys main lines and Cardiff under the South Wales Metro plans.

“85 per cent of Cardiff’s recent job growth arises from an increase in net commuting into the city from adjacent communities, and it is critical this continued growth is supported with the appropriate infrastructure.”