The £140m revamp of Cardiff Central railway station has been given the green light with funding approved.

Improvements will include modernising the station to support long-term passenger growth, while still complementing the history and heritage of the building.

Customers will benefit from a larger concourse to increase capacity, improvements to passenger flow and access, work to alleviate overcrowding and providing better accessibility for those with reduced mobility.

Other customer benefits include improved waiting areas, enhanced retail offerings and cycle storage facilities.

The station will remain open while the construction works are delivered.

The scheme to improve the station is being led by Transport for Wales, with the investment of up to £140m being provided by the Department for Transport, Cardiff Capital Region and the Welsh Government - full business case proposals have now been approved by all.

As part of the continued rail transformation in Wales, the newly reinvigorated Wales Rail Board also met for the first time on 4 December.

TfW will also publish  ‘Today, Tomorrow, Together - a vision document for the future of rail in Wales  - later this month.

Cabinet secretary for transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said: “This is a major milestone for our ambitious plans to upgrade Cardiff Central station, a key hub on our South Wales Metro and gateway to Wales’ capital city.

“The joint £140m investment between Welsh Government, UK Government and Cardiff Capital Region will modernise and enhance the station, benefitting passengers and accommodating our ambitions for long term growth.”

Secretary of state for Wales, Jo Stevens, added: “The UK Government is investing in improving rail services in Wales with new stations, faster trains and more services connecting people with the well-paid jobs we are creating across the country and driving our economic growth. 

“Our contribution to the funding of the redevelopment of Cardiff Central Station is a key part of this programme and will see Wales’s biggest station transformed to improve the experience of passengers by alleviating congestion and making the station more accessible.”