Plans to upgrade railway stations serving Aston Villa fans have received backing from local council leaders, as part of a wider investment programme in the West Midlands.

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Board has endorsed the Transport Capital Investment Programme, allocating £25 million for improvements at Witton and Aston stations. The work comes ahead of Villa Park hosting four Euro 28 matches and follows the stadium’s history of staging major events, including the farewell concert for Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne. Supporters have long raised concerns over travel to and from the ground, which the upgrades aim to address.

The project will be delivered in two phases, with the initial phase focused on enhancing passenger experience and ensuring safer queueing at the stations. Funding for the upgrades comes from a £2.4 billion allocation to the West Midlands via the Transport for City Regions (TCR) programme. The package also includes extending the Midland Metro to the forthcoming £3 billion Sports Quarter in East Birmingham.

Economist Bridget Rosewell is leading a review of the region’s investment strategy, with particular attention to the TCR programme. The review, supported across the political divide, aims to maximise the benefits of transport and infrastructure projects for the region.

Birmingham City Council leader John Cotton said:

"What this demonstrates is a much sharper focus on delivery which is very welcome. Being able to look into greater detail at the pipeline of projects coming forward and ensuring we are delivering the maximum benefits to the people of the region is one of the great things that will come out of that review process. The work that is going to be taking place on Aston and Witton stations aligns not only to regional but national priorities and the extension of the Metro out towards the Sports Quarter is something else that is very welcome. I want to see that extended right through to East Birmingham to deliver the wider transformation we wish to see."

Councillor Adrian Andrew, deputy leader of Walsall Council, added:

"This is a fantastic step forward in terms of transport. We all acknowledge we've had some problems over the years delivering some of these big projects. We've got some heavy rail and Sprint schemes in Walsall we have had some difficulties with and I think this draws a line under the historical problems we've had and really sets the standard for us going forward. As somebody, with (Walsall Council leader and fellow Pheasey Park Farm ward councillor) Mike Bird, who represents a lot of Villa fans, we're up for it as well."

Image: Google Maps