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Members of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Board are expected to earmark £25 million for work to be carried out at Witton and Aston stations in time for the Euro 28 football tournament. Villa Park has been chosen as a host venue for the championships and will stage four matches. It also stages huge concerts such as the final farewell show for Birmingham legends Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath, which took place in the summer. Earlier this year, West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker set up the event Day Travel Working Group made up of members of the club, West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), transport representatives and the council in a bid to bring an end to the problems experienced by match-going fans. Fans have long complained about issues travelling to and from the ground and raised these with Mr Parker before and after he got elected in May 2024. The £25 million scheme is part of the £2.4 billion allocated to the West Midlands through the Transport for City Regions (TCR) programme, announced in June this year. If approved, the project will be completed in two phases, with the first including upgrades to ensure safer queueing and improved passenger experience. A report to WMCA Board said: “The upgrade of Witton (and Aston) stations is an early consideration within the TCR portfolio due to the urgent need to make improvements at both stations ahead of the UEFA European Football Championships (“the Euros”) and the wider regeneration planned around the clubs other activities. “Confirmation of the funding envelope will give certainty to Aston Villa Football Club (AVFC) in readiness of their stadium upgrade (an additional 6,000 seats), their wider regeneration programme and improvements and associated transport need. “A commitment to a budget envelope of £25m for station improvements to Witton (and Aston) stations (serving Villa Park football ground) is sought. “This is subject to the successful completion of the relevant business cases, to be supplemented by an infrastructure and public right-of-way contribution from AVFC worth c.£2m. “It is proposed that the work is delivered the in two phases: • Phase 1: Necessary upgrades to facilitate safer queueing, minimise disruption and improved passenger experience ahead of the Euros in 2028. • Phase 2: Aspirational long-term improvements which have the potential to unlock wider growth and regeneration opportunities. “The case for upgrading Witton (and Aston) stations is based on a transport and disruption need, with particular reference to the large-scale events hosted at Villa Park which cause significant disruption to local roads and residents. “It is also an ambition of UEFA that “80 per cent of all journeys to/from football matches are made by public transport”. “As a host for the UEFA Euros, Aston Villa will host 4 no. football matches, attracting a broad base of international visitors, in addition to a programme of concerts and other large events. “There are also broader aspirations on growth, employment and housing that include: a plan to deliver 100,000 new dwellings by 2044, prioritising sustainable travel locations; the planned move towards sustainable travel and healthy living; the proximity of Birmingham City Council’s Economic Zones including the Advanced Manufacturing Zone and ‘The Food Hub’ distribution zone, providing access to new employment opportunities. “A new Outline Business Case and updated designs for the stations will be taken through appropriate governance in June 2026.”
