Council leaders have thrown their weight behind a major £25 million plan to overhaul the railway stations serving Aston Villa's stadium, promising a better experience for the thousands of fans who travel to Villa Park.
Funding and Phased Improvements
The ambitious project for Witton and Aston stations was formally endorsed by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Board as part of its wider Transport Capital Investment Programme. The £25 million earmarked for the station upgrades will be drawn from the larger £2.4 billion allocated to the region through the national Transport for City Regions (TCR) initiative.
The work is scheduled to be completed in two distinct phases. The initial phase will focus on critical upgrades designed to manage the large crowds more effectively, with a primary goal of ensuring safer queueing systems and an overall enhanced passenger experience.
Drivers for Change: Euro 28 and Major Events
The urgent need for improvement is underscored by Villa Park's selection as a host venue for the Euro 28 football championships, where it is set to stage four high-profile matches. The stadium has also proven its capability to host massive concerts, such as the recent farewell show for rock legends Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne, events that bring tens of thousands of visitors to the area.
Despite this, supporters have consistently voiced frustrations about the difficulties of travelling to and from the ground on match days, highlighting issues with congestion and infrastructure that the new plan aims to resolve.
Broader Regional Transport Ambitions
The station improvements are part of a much larger vision for transport in the West Midlands. The endorsed programme also includes the extension of the Midland Metro tram system to the forthcoming £3 billion Sports Quarter in East Birmingham.
To ensure the massive £2.4 billion TCR fund is spent effectively, a review of the West Midlands investment strategy is being led by economist Bridget Rosewell. This process received cross-party support from members at the WMCA board meeting.
Birmingham City Council leader, John Cotton, welcomed the sharper focus on delivery, stating, "The work on Aston and Witton stations aligns not only to regional but national priorities... I want to see that extended right through to East Birmingham to deliver the wider transformation we wish to see."
Adding his support, Councillor Adrian Andrew, deputy leader of Walsall Council, said, "This is a fantastic step forward in terms of transport... As somebody... who represents a lot of Villa fans, we're up for it as well."
