Here's your Friday update, covering: securing £50m from the Levelling Up Fund for Cardiff Crossrail first phase; important changes to the UK electoral system; and celebrating Chinese New Year at Central Library Hub.

Cardiff secures £50m from Levelling Up fund for the first phase of Cardiff Crossrail from Cardiff Central to Cardiff Bay

The first phase of Cardiff Crossrail - which will run from Cardiff Central to Cardiff Bay Train Station is set to be delivered - now that funding has been secured by Cardiff Council from both the UK and Welsh Governments.

The £50m Levelling Up Fund bid submitted by Cardiff Council has been approved by the UK Government, Welsh Government is match funding the project with a further £50m.

The funding will deliver a new rapid transport link from Cardiff Central to Cardiff Bay, via Callaghan Square, providing a vital transport link to support the development of the Callaghan Square, Bute Street, Lloyd George Avenue and the Atlantic Wharf masterplan.

The investment will act as a catalyst for the wider Crossrail scheme that aims to ultimately link with the proposed Cardiff Parkway Station in St Mellons, in Cardiff east, unlocking opportunities for a number of new stations in the east of the city.

Cardiff Council Leader, Cllr Huw Thomas, said "The announcement of this funding package is a ringing endorsement of our plans to regenerate Cardiff Bay and Atlantic Wharf. This new route will finally see Butetown properly connected to the city centre via Cardiff Central. It will not only serve visitors to the Bay and to the new Cardiff Arena, but it will also begin to make real the Council's ambitions for a Crossrail tram service which will run from the north west of the city all the way to the east of the city connecting with the proposed Parkway station. We look forward to working with UK Government and Welsh Government - which is match-funding the Levelling Up contribution - to deliver the scheme at pace."

Read more here:
https://www.cardiffnewsroom.co.uk/releases/c25/30618.html

The Elections Act 2022: Changes to the UK Electoral System

Central government has passed a law that will change the way we vote in Parliamentary and Police and Crime Commissioner Elections. This law is called the Elections Act 2022.

Please note: This law does NOT apply to Senedd and Local Government (Cardiff Council and Community Council) Elections, as the legislation for these are set by Welsh Government.

You must now show Photo ID to vote at polling stations when there is a Parliamentary election or a Police and Crime Commissioner election.

Read more here:
https://www.cardiffnewsroom.co.uk/releases/c25/30620.html

Chinese New Year 2023 at Central Library Hub

January 21 @ 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm

FREE

Cardiff Central Library Hub welcomes you to Chinese New Year and Lantern Festival Celebration

Happy Chinese New Year -Year of the Rabbit

Free fun activities and performances for all ages

Lion Dance, Tea Tasting, Chinese Music & Dance, Calligraphy, Lantern Making, Tai Chi, Paper Cutting, Traditional Dress Try-on, Mask Making, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chinese Chess and much more.

No Booking required

Program subject to change at short notice