Cardiff is set to gain a vital piece of active travel architecture with the proposed Central Quay Bridge, a new shared-use pedestrian and cycle crossing over the River Taff. This project, commissioned by Cardiff Council and designed by Ove Arup & Partners Limited (Arup), is much more than just a bridge; it’s a key step in linking communities and supporting the city’s regeneration and sustainable transport goals.
The proposed bridge is strategically located approximately 0.3km south of the Principality Stadium, linking the residential area of Grangetown North on the west bank to the major Central Quay mixed-use development on the east bank. Currently, residents rely on the Penarth Road Bridge and Wood Street Bridge, which are often unattractive for walkers and cyclists due to high traffic volume, noise and pollution.
The Central Quay Bridge aims to reduce this severance and offer a safer, more direct, and appealing route to key destinations like Cardiff Central railway station and bus interchange, employment opportunities and future recreational spaces. This new crossing is one of three active travel bridges planned for the River Taff corridor.
The chosen structural form for the bridge is a single-span Tied Arch. This design was selected because it is both simple and efficient, allowing for a clear span of approximately 67 metres without the need for mid-river piers, which isimportant for the navigable channel and to minimise ecological impact. The visual result is intended to be a landmark structure that is elegant and memorable, becoming a reference point for city navigation.
The bridge deck is proposed to have a 5-metre clear width, providing an unsegregated, shared-use route for pedestrians and cyclists. This width comfortably accommodates mobility aids and aligns with Active Travel Guidance.
Connectivity benefits include:
- Closing the loop and creating a new circular route option in Cardiff City Centre.
- Providing greater resilience for pedestrian movement on Principality Stadium event days by offering an alternative route to the train station.
- Connecting the new Central Quay development directly to the Taff Trail and existing green spaces like Taffs Mead Embankment and Merches Gardens.
For the community of Grangetown, which experiences higher rates of long-term worklessness and lower car ownership compared to the Welsh average, the bridge offers crucial benefits. By facilitating a safer and more direct route to jobs and services, the bridge supports local and inclusive economic growth and can improve social mobility.
The design is rooted in its local context, using weathering steel for the main structural material. This choice responds to the area’s industrial heritage (such as the former Brains Brewery site) while offering practical benefits like minimal long-term maintenance.
The finishing details are equally considered:
- Deck Surfacing: A buff coloured resin bound gravel is proposed to match the existing Taff Trail and Central Quay Public Realm, helping to interpret the deck as a shared space.
- Balustrade: A 1.4m high ‘pattern’ designed balustrade will ensure safety for cyclists and pedestrians, with circular mesh holes promoting natural surveillance and a feeling of security.
- Lighting: Floor Integrated Lighting has been chosen to provide full deck illumination while minimising light spill into the River Taff, protecting nocturnal species like bats, otters, and fish, demonstrating an ecologically sensitive approach.
The Central Quay Bridge is designed to be a symbol of Cardiff’s commitment to sustainable, people-focused infrastructure, enhancing both connectivity and community well-being.
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