7. What discussions has the Welsh Government had with Cardiff Council regarding the provision of a new bus station in the city? OAQ(5)0538(FM)

Well, this is a matter, ultimately, for Cardiff council, not for the Welsh Government, but I did meet with the leader of Cardiff council at the beginning of the month and one of the topics we discussed was the latest update on the Cardiff central bus station development.

Thanks. Yes, I understand it is a matter principally for the council but the bus station is an issue of growing concern to south Wales residents in general. There have long been fears that the new facility may be too small and now there are fears over the funding as well; there is also the little matter that we don't yet know if there will be coach bays at the new station—none of which really helps with the Welsh Government’s stated aim of encouraging integrated transport. As Cardiff central is such an important hub for the whole region, can the Welsh Government make any intervention here to ensure that passengers do end up with a first-class facility, rather than a botch job?

There was a time when Cardiff council were, some years ago, doubting whether there needed to be a bus station at all: ‘The bus stops will do.’ I’m glad that wasn’t the case. It is hugely important to have an interchange and a hub. The need to build a new station is clear to me. We know the scheme needs to be fit for purpose, it needs to be future proofed, it needs to be successfully integrated, in order to be suitable for our capital city. The project itself is being led by Rightacres. They hold monthly meetings with key stakeholders—that includes us as a Government. I understand the latest is that the planning application has been approved, but the start date has been delayed as discussions take place on what the station should look like. It is important, of course, that there is agreement that the station should be fit for purpose as the main interchange for our capital city.