Two Cardiff city bus station sites examined

More than 1,000 services operate weekday through the current bus station

A new site for Cardiff's bus station is being discussed by council leaders as part of a city centre revamp.

BBC Wales is moving its headquarters from Llandaff to a new building in Central Square in 2018.

Two locations are being looked at but the council wants the new bus station to be within a few minutes walk of Cardiff Central railway station.

The current bus station is set to close in summer 2015, with temporary stops set up elsewhere in the city centre.

Two potential sites for the new bus station have been identified:

• Marland House/NCP car park site which is north of the railway line. The council is securing ownership of the site.

• Network Rail car park site behind the station and south of the railway line.

As well as being close to the railway station, both sites also have the potential for staying open to deal with passengers on big Millennium Stadium event days.

Last month, BBC Wales announced it would be relocating to a landmark building designed by Sir Norman Foster and Partners in Central Square, on the site of the current bus station.

The council's cabinet will be discussing the way forward, including how to deal with buses through the city during the three years of redevelopment.

Council leader Phil Bale said the new bus station would allow the council to "redesign our welcome to the world".

Local people will be consulted on the location, design and the temporary bus stop arrangements in the autumn.

BUSES - THE ROUTE FORWARD

• More than 1,000 services operate each weekday through the current bus station

• At its peak, 84 buses an hour use it - nearly half of buses using the city centre

• Cardiff Bus account for 51% of services, Stagecoach for 21% and 3% for operators like National Express

• The new bus station will need up to 18 stands and the council is working on passenger numbers increasing by 15% in the future as it looks to get more people out of their cars

• Work will be needed in Westgate St, Churchill Way, Custom House Street and more buses using Greyfriars Road

• Wood Street, Lower St Mary Street and, potentially, Callaghan Square will be looked as temporary measures while the bus station is developed

• Most Cardiff Bus services will maintain their existing routes, either circling the city centre anti-clockwise or looping in Mill Lane/Custom House Street to leave the city centre via Westgate Street.

Source: Cardiff Council