paul-cardiff

Jul 14, 08 - 4:28 PM

Welcome to Cardiff! postcard

Nobody loves this city more than me - I wouldn't do this website if I wasn't a dedicated fan of all that is 'Cardiff'. Nevertheless if I was a visitor leaving the station via the car park then I would be forming my first impressions on views like this...

The only way is up!! this is I'm sure the worst it will ever look - demolitions are never particularly pretty afterall. I'm sure that in the long run there are big plans for this whole area, I'll take a similar shot in 10 years and we'll see how were doing.

ps. yes that is 'photoshop graffiti' excuse the handwriting - I use my right hand for the mouse but I'm left handed!? weird that

Me

Jul 14th, 2008 - 4:33 PM

Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard

Ha! Very funny... I'm kinda disappointed it doesnt exist for real!

Anyway, having a look at the picture, what do people think about the suggestion on another thread that the 'new' bus station might retain some of the ground floor brickwork of the existing building. I dont really see it, based on how much of the middle of the building has already gone...

jantra

Jul 14th, 2008 - 6:23 PM

Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard

Me

there is plenty of brickwork...they didn't say in what form

Ian, Bridgend

Jul 15th, 2008 - 10:49 AM

Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard

They don't seem to have reached the Gent's yet. Now they WOULD be worth keeping, seeing as there are no toilets in the main concourse of the station,Unless you produce a ticket you can't get in.

Jantra

Jul 15th, 2008 - 12:56 PM

Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard

that picture looks like Beirut

Me

Jul 15th, 2008 - 1:17 PM

Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard

It also shows how ugly the building behind is... (Holland House?)

heh, more work needed...

Spence

Jul 15th, 2008 - 4:01 PM

Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard

St Davids House. You're right, it's crap.

RichardT

Jul 15th, 2008 - 4:11 PM

Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard

IMO St David’s house looks quite good from this new vantage point. At least it hides Thomson House until that’s demolished. Surely the replacement Jury’s Hotel and apartments will involve the eventual demolition of St David’s House? Otherwise it will block out all the light.
That buddleia (Flores Wastelandus) is really starting to take root in the foreground. Could be designated a SSSI if Urban Solutions don’t get a move on.

Jeremy

Jul 15th, 2008 - 10:24 PM

Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard

That side of Wood Street has a certain unity that you rarely get now. The buildings show their era and have a certain dignity.

But I think Paul is right in that the area is very important in giving the right impression and welcomes people. Any final design is off critical importance.

Also there are not many places in the UK where the bus and rail hubs are located right next to each other. We cannot afford to lose that and the bus station on the north side of the station is the right side for most people who want access to and from the city centre.

Ian, Bridgend

Jul 15th, 2008 - 11:42 PM

Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard

Excuse my tenacity about the possibly still serviceable bogs in the half-demolished building but it's still not too late for the old ones to be incorporated into any large new building they may put up there.

If you want a precedent, look at New College and Altolusso..

Me

Jul 16th, 2008 - 11:17 AM

Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard

I think new temporary toilets have been put up prior to the demolition somewhere near the bus station. All adds to the warm welcome...

Spence

Jul 17th, 2008 - 1:42 PM

Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard

Was in Sheffield yesterday and it was a real eye opener. The station had been fully refurbished, retaining all the period features but at the same time was very modern and light. When you get off the train you have a choice of either going up to the tram platform which whisks you into the heart of the city in less than 5 minutes, or leaving via the main entrance and being confronted with 2 very impressive water features. What awaits people in Cardiff is frankly embarrassing.

Karl

Jul 17th, 2008 - 2:17 PM

Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard

"What awaits people in Cardiff is frankly embarrassing."

No shit sherlock......

Kyle

Jul 17th, 2008 - 2:26 PM

Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard

Do we know for sure whether this new bus station is permanent ? I just can't see the logic in only spending that amount of money.

URBANO

Jul 17th, 2008 - 5:02 PM

Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard

Perhaps they will defray the cost by some imaginitive sponsorship...the Boozebuster Bus Station,perhaps.It could be kept clean by a daily wash down with lager

Kyle

Jul 17th, 2008 - 5:22 PM

Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard

Just a thought. Wasn't there a plan to have the bus station south of the train station some years back ? Is this tent just temporary until something happens with that plan ?

Anyone from the council on this forum know ?

Ian, Bridgend

Jul 17th, 2008 - 8:33 PM

Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard

At least we don't need to eat our hearts out that we have no tram to whisk people to the city centre in five minutes - when they get out of the station they're already there! It would be nice to have some trams somewhere, though!

I've only been on the platform at Sheffield once. As far as I recall the station was similar in size and layout to Cardiff Central, with island platforms with individual canopies and no overall roof. I'd be interested to know how all this has been tarted up without the expensive addition of a new overall roof, as they did for Leeds a round ten years ago, and what lessons there could be for Cardiff Central from Sheffield..

Spence

Jul 17th, 2008 - 11:08 PM

Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard

It is made up of individual platforms yes, but the metal work in the canopies has been replaced/repainted and the woodwork done up. There's a glass corridoor connecting the platforms with the tram stops and the main concourse, which is the impressive part. The big old building has been cleaned up, and there's a new glass roof over it, big feature arrivals/departures board, a clock that actually works, much more shops, excellent toilets and alot more space to move around. And then...

The station is central, but the tram just takes you around to the other side of the city centre (still only about 15 minutes walk) and lots of other places too.

Ian, Bridgend

Jul 22nd, 2008 - 11:14 PM

Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard

Just seen this post. Many thanks, Spence.

Ian, Bridgend

Jul 22nd, 2008 - 11:19 PM

Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard

Cardiff Central definitely needs something along these lines - the water feature is outstanding. Whenever I take the Bay Circle bus I must say I'm shocked at the feeble impact made by Central from the south side. More London suburban than the main station and gateway for many to a capital city. Maybe that's where work needs doing first, until they get an overall plan for Central Square sorted out.

Author	Comment
paul-cardiff Jul 14, 08 - 4:28 PM	Welcome to Cardiff! postcard Nobody loves this city more than me - I wouldn't do this website if I wasn't a dedicated fan of all that is 'Cardiff'. Nevertheless if I was a visitor leaving the station via the car park then I would be forming my first impressions on views like this... The only way is up!! this is I'm sure the worst it will ever look - demolitions are never particularly pretty afterall. I'm sure that in the long run there are big plans for this whole area, I'll take a similar shot in 10 years and we'll see how were doing. ps. yes that is 'photoshop graffiti' excuse the handwriting - I use my right hand for the mouse but I'm left handed!? weird that
Me Jul 14th, 2008 - 4:33 PM	Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard Ha! Very funny... I'm kinda disappointed it doesnt exist for real! Anyway, having a look at the picture, what do people think about the suggestion on another thread that the 'new' bus station might retain some of the ground floor brickwork of the existing building. I dont really see it, based on how much of the middle of the building has already gone...
jantra Jul 14th, 2008 - 6:23 PM	Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard Me there is plenty of brickwork...they didn't say in what form
Ian, Bridgend Jul 15th, 2008 - 10:49 AM	Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard They don't seem to have reached the Gent's yet. Now they WOULD be worth keeping, seeing as there are no toilets in the main concourse of the station,Unless you produce a ticket you can't get in.
Jantra Jul 15th, 2008 - 12:56 PM	Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard that picture looks like Beirut
Me Jul 15th, 2008 - 1:17 PM	Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard It also shows how ugly the building behind is... (Holland House?) heh, more work needed...
Spence Jul 15th, 2008 - 4:01 PM	Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard St Davids House. You're right, it's crap.
RichardT Jul 15th, 2008 - 4:11 PM	Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard IMO St David’s house looks quite good from this new vantage point. At least it hides Thomson House until that’s demolished. Surely the replacement Jury’s Hotel and apartments will involve the eventual demolition of St David’s House? Otherwise it will block out all the light. That buddleia (Flores Wastelandus) is really starting to take root in the foreground. Could be designated a SSSI if Urban Solutions don’t get a move on.
Jeremy Jul 15th, 2008 - 10:24 PM	Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard That side of Wood Street has a certain unity that you rarely get now. The buildings show their era and have a certain dignity. But I think Paul is right in that the area is very important in giving the right impression and welcomes people. Any final design is off critical importance. Also there are not many places in the UK where the bus and rail hubs are located right next to each other. We cannot afford to lose that and the bus station on the north side of the station is the right side for most people who want access to and from the city centre.
Ian, Bridgend Jul 15th, 2008 - 11:42 PM	Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard Excuse my tenacity about the possibly still serviceable bogs in the half-demolished building but it's still not too late for the old ones to be incorporated into any large new building they may put up there. If you want a precedent, look at New College and Altolusso..
Me Jul 16th, 2008 - 11:17 AM	Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard I think new temporary toilets have been put up prior to the demolition somewhere near the bus station. All adds to the warm welcome...
Spence Jul 17th, 2008 - 1:42 PM	Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard Was in Sheffield yesterday and it was a real eye opener. The station had been fully refurbished, retaining all the period features but at the same time was very modern and light. When you get off the train you have a choice of either going up to the tram platform which whisks you into the heart of the city in less than 5 minutes, or leaving via the main entrance and being confronted with 2 very impressive water features. What awaits people in Cardiff is frankly embarrassing.
Karl Jul 17th, 2008 - 2:17 PM	Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard "What awaits people in Cardiff is frankly embarrassing." No shit sherlock...... Email: thomask1969@hotmail.com
Kyle Jul 17th, 2008 - 2:26 PM	Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard Do we know for sure whether this new bus station is permanent ? I just can't see the logic in only spending that amount of money.
URBANO Jul 17th, 2008 - 5:02 PM	Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard Perhaps they will defray the cost by some imaginitive sponsorship...the Boozebuster Bus Station,perhaps.It could be kept clean by a daily wash down with lager
Kyle Jul 17th, 2008 - 5:22 PM	Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard Just a thought. Wasn't there a plan to have the bus station south of the train station some years back ? Is this tent just temporary until something happens with that plan ? Anyone from the council on this forum know ?
Ian, Bridgend Jul 17th, 2008 - 8:33 PM	Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard At least we don't need to eat our hearts out that we have no tram to whisk people to the city centre in five minutes - when they get out of the station they're already there! It would be nice to have some trams somewhere, though! I've only been on the platform at Sheffield once. As far as I recall the station was similar in size and layout to Cardiff Central, with island platforms with individual canopies and no overall roof. I'd be interested to know how all this has been tarted up without the expensive addition of a new overall roof, as they did for Leeds a round ten years ago, and what lessons there could be for Cardiff Central from Sheffield..
Spence Jul 17th, 2008 - 11:08 PM	Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard It is made up of individual platforms yes, but the metal work in the canopies has been replaced/repainted and the woodwork done up. There's a glass corridoor connecting the platforms with the tram stops and the main concourse, which is the impressive part. The big old building has been cleaned up, and there's a new glass roof over it, big feature arrivals/departures board, a clock that actually works, much more shops, excellent toilets and alot more space to move around. And then... The station is central, but the tram just takes you around to the other side of the city centre (still only about 15 minutes walk) and lots of other places too.
Ian, Bridgend Jul 22nd, 2008 - 11:14 PM	Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard Just seen this post. Many thanks, Spence.
Ian, Bridgend Jul 22nd, 2008 - 11:19 PM	Re: Welcome to Cardiff! postcard Cardiff Central definitely needs something along these lines - the water feature is outstanding. Whenever I take the Bay Circle bus I must say I'm shocked at the feeble impact made by Central from the south side. More London suburban than the main station and gateway for many to a capital city. Maybe that's where work needs doing first, until they get an overall plan for Central Square sorted out.