A major funding agreement has been announced by the Welsh Government for the first 12 months of the five‑year Regional Transport Plan, supporting the long‑term development of local transport infrastructure across the Cardiff Capital Region (CCR).
The funding forms part of a £48.5 million package for south‑east Wales through the Welsh Government’s Regional Transport Fund.
As part of the regional funding announcement, allocations for Cardiff up to 2029 have been confirmed, with more than £20.5 million set to be invested in transport improvements in the Welsh capital.
The funding breakdown from the Welsh Government is as follows:
- 2026–27: up to £5,735,580
- 2027–28: up to £9,022,886
- 2028–29: up to £6,002,117
Welsh Government funding will be used alongside other funding streams to deliver transport improvements across the city.
Key proposals for Cardiff for the 2026/27 financial year include:
- City Centre: Newport Road Sustainable Travel Corridor, Phase 1 of a major sustainable travel corridor along Newport Road linking the city centre to the Newport boundary, including of a permanent cycleway, active travel and bus priority measures.
- TheNorthern Bus Corridor, with new bus priority measures between the city centre and north Cardiff, alongside continued investment in active travel routes, including bus lane and crossings on City Road.
- School Streets schemes to improve safety around schools in Tremorfa and Ely, alongside targeted road safety measures such as junction improvements and reviews of speed limits following the 20mph rollout.
- Bus stop upgrades across the city, including new shelters and build‑outs, while a core active travel budget will support a range of low‑cost, high‑impact walking and cycling improvements.
Cllr Dan De’Ath, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Strategic Transport and Planning, said: “This is the first year that Welsh Government funding has been allocated on a regional basis through the Cardiff Capital Region. The funding announcement will help the council further improve transport across the city, with a clear priority to encourage more people to use public transport, encourage walking and cycling, so we are less reliant on private cars.
“Together, these schemes aim to make Cardiff’s streets safer, support local communities and businesses, improve public transport reliability, and encourage more people to walk, cycle and use public transport.”
Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said: “I am delighted to confirm nearly £50 million of funding, as part of the Regional Transport Fund, for councils across south‑east Wales. This is a significant milestone for the region’s transport network, as this funding will directly benefit communities across all local authority areas, delivering real improvements to people’s daily lives.
“The schemes being funded reflect priorities agreed in partnership between local authorities, the Cardiff Capital Region, Transport for Wales and the Welsh Government. This collaboration will help deliver the connected, sustainable and affordable transport system that the people of south‑east Wales deserve.
“From a new bus and rail interchange in Caerphilly to road improvements in Aberbeeg, I’m proud that this investment will strengthen the economy and make life easier for people across the region.”
