Redditch to Lichfield line on Matchday

[mike]

After a couple of horrendous experiences of getting out of Aston by car, I’m thinking of getting on at Alvechurch and off at Aston. I’m guessing it would be fine going, because I’d be getting onto a pretty empty train, anybody know what it’s like getting on at Aston on the way back? I ask because I’ll be with a lively 7 year old and I’ll get in trouble if I lose him.

[kieron]

Busy. Take a collar and a lead.

[amfy]

It’s fine for Saturday 3pm games but not so good on evenings and Sundays when it’s down to a half hourly service.

I usually find I join a queue on the street which is being held by police to keep the platform crowd at a safe level. When one train has moved through, most of the queue will be let into the platform to wait for the next train 10 mins later.

You’ll be fine.

[Richard]

It’s certainly not great if you’re going the other way from Aston to Lichfield ! Sunday after Leeds was a classic example of poor stewarding and a crush at the bottom of the stairs as fans tried to get on the half hourly trains already full of Xmas shoppers !

[Chris Smith]

There is usually a massive queue for the first train. If you can take your time, perhaps go for a pint or a bag of chips, then once the initial rush is over it is fine.

[Risso]

It’s certainly not great if you’re going the other way from Aston to Lichfield ! Sunday after Leeds was a classic example of poor stewarding and a crush at the bottom of the stairs as fans tried to get on the half hourly trains already full of Xmas shoppers !

The roads were shocking after Leeds.  We gave it 45 mins after the final whistle before going back to the car, but it still took us the best part of an hour to get out of Aston.

[LeeB]

It’s certainly not great if you’re going the other way from Aston to Lichfield ! Sunday after Leeds was a classic example of poor stewarding and a crush at the bottom of the stairs as fans tried to get on the half hourly trains already full of Xmas shoppers !

The roads were shocking after Leeds.  We gave it 45 mins after the final whistle before going back to the car, but it still took us the best part of an hour to get out of Aston.

The further you park from the ground the better. I parked at Greggs on Cuckoo Wharf, used the A47 to get down to M6 J5 and was back to Nuneaton to drop off my nephew in no time.

[brian green]

Off thread sorry  but the glaring answer to VP traffic has to be a VP spur off the HP roundabout around the perimeter of the park to merge with Witton Lane beside the Holte pub.  One day.

[Des Little]

Definitely go for a pint (or two) to let the rush die down. On Sunday I took one look at the queue and walked it back to town, and got there before the next train had even left Aston.

[Clampy]

Chris and Lee B' suggestions are good. Find out the times of the trains after the game in advance and go for a pint in the Holte Suite maybe until the rush has died down.

As for Lee B's suggestion, a mate of mine parks a good 10 mins walk away from the ground (I forget the name of the road) but he gets away really quickly.

[Ad@m]

It’s certainly not great if you’re going the other way from Aston to Lichfield ! Sunday after Leeds was a classic example of poor stewarding and a crush at the bottom of the stairs as fans tried to get on the half hourly trains already full of Xmas shoppers !

The roads were shocking after Leeds.  We gave it 45 mins after the final whistle before going back to the car, but it still took us the best part of an hour to get out of Aston.

The further you park from the ground the better. I parked at Greggs on Cuckoo Wharf, used the A47 to get down to M6 J5 and was back to Nuneaton to drop off my nephew in no time.

This.

I park at Cuckoo Wharf too and it's 5 mins to Salford Circus then you're on your way.

[algy]

There is usually a massive queue for the first train. If you can take your time, perhaps go for a pint or a bag of chips, then once the initial rush is over it is fine.

I went with my dad by train from Lichfield to Aston from about 5 years old until I was 16ish ... usually did exactly this, go get a bag of chips from either the Chinese on the road the station's on (Lichfield Rd) or the Indian chippy on Church Lane. It's a bit busy, at least going back to Lichfield, but good fun.

You could also change at New St and go to Witton, which is a shorter walk. I prefer that way myself, but the chippies going towards Aston are better imo.

[mike]

Thanks for all those replies. I can't slip for a few pints after the match as I have nearly an hour's drive even after I get to Alvechurch. Unfortunately, although the boy is good at taking instructions, he can't reach the pedals properly yet. I used to park a good way away when I went by myself and didn't have a lot of trouble and to be fair the lad is up to a walk so that might be the answer. One reason I might be finding it more difficult is the increased attendances since I started going again. The last time I went regularly was about ten years ago and I'm sure we used to get sub 30,000 to a lot of matches. I've been impressed with the attendances this year. Reluctantly, I also have to admire Sunderland pulling in 46,000 in League 1.

[Risso]

Thanks for all those replies. I can't slip for a few pints after the match as I have nearly an hour's drive even after I get to Alvechurch. Unfortunately, although the boy is good at taking instructions, he can't reach the pedals properly yet. I used to park a good way away when I went by myself and didn't have a lot of trouble and to be fair the lad is up to a walk so that might be the answer. One reason I might be finding it more difficult is the increased attendances since I started going again. The last time I went regularly was about ten years ago and I'm sure we used to get sub 30,000 to a lot of matches. I've been impressed with the attendances this year. Reluctantly, I also have to admire Sunderland pulling in 46,000 in League 1.

I think that was a one off because it was Boxing Day.  Most of the time they've been getting around 30K or less, which I suppose is still pretty good for League 1.

[PeterWithesShin]

Only times we've had a bunch of under 30K league games since the early to mid 90s was 99/2000 and 00/01.