The Environmental Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday 9 June 2026 to discuss the Cardiff to Newport Sustainable Transport Corridor – Phase 1A, including improvements to the Kingsway public realm. The committee reviewed the report on the project, heard from officers, and discussed potential impacts and benefits.

Cardiff to Newport Sustainable Transport Corridor – Phase 1A

The committee considered the report on Phase 1A of the Cardiff to Newport Sustainable Transport Corridor, which includes public realm improvements on Kingsway. The project aims to enhance sustainable travel, connectivity, and the city centre environment by creating a permanent segregated cycleway, improving bus reliability, and transforming Kingsway into a public space.

Officers presented the scheme, explaining that Phase 1A is the first part of a larger corridor project. They detailed the proposed improvements, including the removal of the Boulevard de Nantes subway and its replacement with a street-level crossing, and the closure of the upper section of Kingsway to through traffic. The design aims to create a safer, more accessible, and greener space, connecting the city centre with the civic centre.

Members raised several questions and concerns. Councillor Kate Carr asked about the trust in the modelling used for the scheme and its impact on traffic and pedestrians in other areas. Officers explained that the modelling indicated minimal impact on adjacent areas, with some junction delays being offset by improvements elsewhere. Councillor Carr also raised concerns about potential negative impacts on pedestrians from increased cycling behaviour. Officers responded by detailing how lessons learned from previous schemes and feedback from accessibility groups had been incorporated into the design, including signal arrangements and the placement of the cycleway.

Councillor Daniel Waldron inquired about the loss of road space for motorists and how the scheme would integrate with the proposed South Wales Metro. Officers clarified that road space was being reallocated rather than lost, and that discussions were ongoing with Transport for Wales regarding integration with future Metro stations.

Councillor John Lancaster, Leader of the Conservative Group, questioned the creation of pinch points where roads narrow and whether this would increase congestion. Officers explained that while some junctions might experience localised delays, the overall network performance was modelled to remain broadly in line with existing conditions, with benefits for bus operations and active travel. They also detailed plans to manage congestion during construction, including building the scheme from east to west and undertaking further facilitation works on other junctions.

Councillor Andrea Gibson asked about the timeline for the project and potential disruption. Officers indicated that construction was anticipated to begin in early 2027, with efforts to minimise impact during peak periods and in coordination with other major city centre projects.

Councillor Owen Jones, Chair of the committee, raised questions about the criteria for progressing to future phases of the corridor and how the scheme's success would be measured. Officers explained that funding was secured on a phased basis and that post-project evaluation would assess performance against agreed criteria, including road casualty reduction and bus journey times. They also acknowledged the need for more quantitative data on success metrics.

Following discussions, the committee moved into a closed session to discuss confidential appendices related to financial and legal implications.

The committee's Way Forward, as summarised by Erica Painter, Chief Scrutiny Officer, highlighted key discussion points including trust in modelling, prioritisation of pedestrians and cyclists, integration with other transport modes, management of congestion during construction, and ongoing consultation with disability groups. The committee also requested further details on the specific criteria for judging the scheme's success, aiming for more quantitative data.

The next meeting of the Environmental Scrutiny Committee was scheduled for Thursday, 2 July 2026.