A new group aims to resolve game day travel problems for Aston Villa fans, with short and long-term solutions.
This group includes the club and local authorities. They aim to improve the fan experience. Richard Parker hopes to solve travel problems. Other clubs might get similar support too. Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion are included.
The group is working on short-term fixes now. A long-term plan is also in development. Villa Park will host European Championship games. Black Sabbath will also play their final show there.
Parker said fans told him about travel frustrations. This was before and after his election. He spoke with the club about the problems. Villa needs help from transport groups and the council too. Villa has great plans for their stadium.
They need support to make these things happen. Parker emphasized a team approach with the clubs. They are vital to the local economy. He wanted to know how to help Villa right away. Improving travel became a top priority. It involves the Mayor, council, and transport groups.
This group includes rail and bus companies. They formed an Event Day Travel Working Group. It aims to improve match day experiences. The group meets regularly. Parker’s staff studied the club’s problems. They checked both small issues and long-term plans.
They hope to benefit from hosting the Euros. The group focuses on short-term and long-term travel plans. They plan improvements to Witton Station. For example, they improved traffic light operation. This helps traffic flow away from the stadium quicker. New trains are longer, fitting more fans. They are also working on shuttle bus routes. The buses should reach trains faster.
More improvements are possible going forward. The club is helping with this teamwork. They want a better experience for fans.