Villa Park Redevelopment

[Gareth]

Like everything else it would take inclination to sort, the club don’t care less because the issues are largely after games and you’ve stopped spending any money with them by then but by and large you’ll be back next game.  The police don’t care or they would actually have traffic officers situated at the pinch points after games.  The train companies don’t care because it would require effort.

Bare minimum will be done to ensure any planning goes through for development and come the Euros the bus shuttles like Commenwealth Games will operate

[Ads]

I'm sceptical of any politician ponying up the necessary cash in anything less than a few years and that will hold back Villa getting the expansion it needs and it's fans deserve let alone Birmingham potentially losing out on Euro 2028.

I thought the club had said the expansion is not contingent on the transport being updated first, anyway?

It's not. Planning is approved without Witton Station. We just agree to chuck ideas at it.

[IFWaters]

I think we all know the answer is a monorail.

Teleport is more likely

[spartacuss]

Traffic-wise, on our route, one simple thing made a huge, dramatic and negative difference a few years back. For those of us driving  away using Aston Hall Road/Lichfield Road towards the M.6 at Salford Circus (Spaghetti Junction), for years there would be a slow but steady flow with only a minimal hold-up. Then they introduced lights at Salford Circus. The effect was immediate: quite literally the next match following their introduction the traffic flow turned into a permanent jam inching along and it's been like that every match since. 

There is no need for lights at this huge, crucial roundabout when 95% of the traffic following a match is exiting away to the M.6 (North & South) or Erdington, Sutton, Lichfield with a relative dribble of (non-match) traffic using the other roads.  I am convinced that if the lights were suspended for one or one and half hours after a match the steady flow of traffic would be resumed. 

Anyone know whose ear has to be bent, to get traffic management (West Midlands/Birmingham Council?) to sort out this mess instead of thousands of stationary cars chugging out fumes while the occupants are, understandably, 'fuming' too? 

[Stu82]

Traffic-wise, on our route, one simple thing made a huge, dramatic and negative difference a few years back. For those of us driving  away using Aston Hall Road/Lichfield Road towards the M.6 at Salford Circus (Spaghetti Junction), for years there would be a slow but steady flow with only a minimal hold-up. Then they introduced lights at Salford Circus. The effect was immediate: quite literally the next match following their introduction the traffic flow turned into a permanent jam inching along and it's been like that every match since. 

There is no need for lights at this huge, crucial roundabout when 95% of the traffic following a match is exiting away to the M.6 (North & South) or Erdington, Sutton, Lichfield with a relative dribble of (non-match) traffic using the other roads.  I am convinced that if the lights were suspended for one or one and half hours after a match the steady flow of traffic would be resumed. 

Anyone know whose ear has to be bent, to get traffic management (West Midlands/Birmingham Council?) to sort out this mess instead of thousands of stationary cars chugging out fumes while the occupants are, understandably, 'fuming' too?

It’s amazing the highways people never consider the effects of simple changes.
Seems like they just don’t care!

[Risso]

Traffic-wise, on our route, one simple thing made a huge, dramatic and negative difference a few years back. For those of us driving  away using Aston Hall Road/Lichfield Road towards the M.6 at Salford Circus (Spaghetti Junction), for years there would be a slow but steady flow with only a minimal hold-up. Then they introduced lights at Salford Circus. The effect was immediate: quite literally the next match following their introduction the traffic flow turned into a permanent jam inching along and it's been like that every match since. 

There is no need for lights at this huge, crucial roundabout when 95% of the traffic following a match is exiting away to the M.6 (North & South) or Erdington, Sutton, Lichfield with a relative dribble of (non-match) traffic using the other roads.  I am convinced that if the lights were suspended for one or one and half hours after a match the steady flow of traffic would be resumed. 

Anyone know whose ear has to be bent, to get traffic management (West Midlands/Birmingham Council?) to sort out this mess instead of thousands of stationary cars chugging out fumes while the occupants are, understandably, 'fuming' too? 

Spot on.

[Drummond]

Traffic-wise, on our route, one simple thing made a huge, dramatic and negative difference a few years back. For those of us driving  away using Aston Hall Road/Lichfield Road towards the M.6 at Salford Circus (Spaghetti Junction), for years there would be a slow but steady flow with only a minimal hold-up. Then they introduced lights at Salford Circus. The effect was immediate: quite literally the next match following their introduction the traffic flow turned into a permanent jam inching along and it's been like that every match since. 

There is no need for lights at this huge, crucial roundabout when 95% of the traffic following a match is exiting away to the M.6 (North & South) or Erdington, Sutton, Lichfield with a relative dribble of (non-match) traffic using the other roads.  I am convinced that if the lights were suspended for one or one and half hours after a match the steady flow of traffic would be resumed. 

Anyone know whose ear has to be bent, to get traffic management (West Midlands/Birmingham Council?) to sort out this mess instead of thousands of stationary cars chugging out fumes while the occupants are, understandably, 'fuming' too? 

Spot on.

Yep agree with this completely.

The one way system, and changes to that roundabout would clear traffic so quickly. It's utterly bizarre that it continues like it is. I feel for the locals trying to get about, often against the flow of traffic. It's like a dog-eats-dog world out there and brings out the worst in people too when the traffic is so bad.

Fix the traffic, fix the trains, lay on buses and it's sorted.

[pauliewalnuts]

Traffic-wise, on our route, one simple thing made a huge, dramatic and negative difference a few years back. For those of us driving  away using Aston Hall Road/Lichfield Road towards the M.6 at Salford Circus (Spaghetti Junction), for years there would be a slow but steady flow with only a minimal hold-up. Then they introduced lights at Salford Circus. The effect was immediate: quite literally the next match following their introduction the traffic flow turned into a permanent jam inching along and it's been like that every match since. 

There is no need for lights at this huge, crucial roundabout when 95% of the traffic following a match is exiting away to the M.6 (North & South) or Erdington, Sutton, Lichfield with a relative dribble of (non-match) traffic using the other roads.  I am convinced that if the lights were suspended for one or one and half hours after a match the steady flow of traffic would be resumed. 

Anyone know whose ear has to be bent, to get traffic management (West Midlands/Birmingham Council?) to sort out this mess instead of thousands of stationary cars chugging out fumes while the occupants are, understandably, 'fuming' too? 

This is part of what i was referring to in my post on the previous page, over the last few years, the traffic management of that route away from the ground has made things considerably - not a bit, but a lot - worse

[chrisw1]

Depends how many coaches you put on. Aziz coaches in Sparkbrook have 6 coaches available immediately at very reasonable prices. It's all very well talking about fancy metro systems and the like but in case you hadn't noticed the city's bankrupt. I really doubt the wisdom of tying Villa Park expansion to major public transport improvements and 'modal shift' because that takes massive public expenditure and years. It will not happen before the euros and I worry Birmingham will lose out in hosting Euro 2028 without it let alone 10k extra Villa fans being able to get to games.

Excellent, that's 240 people sorted.  What about the other 49,760?

I guess if some wait for the second trip (an hour or so after the final whistle I'd guess?) there's another 240 sorted.

[Brend'Watkins]

Traffic-wise, on our route, one simple thing made a huge, dramatic and negative difference a few years back. For those of us driving  away using Aston Hall Road/Lichfield Road towards the M.6 at Salford Circus (Spaghetti Junction), for years there would be a slow but steady flow with only a minimal hold-up. Then they introduced lights at Salford Circus. The effect was immediate: quite literally the next match following their introduction the traffic flow turned into a permanent jam inching along and it's been like that every match since. 

There is no need for lights at this huge, crucial roundabout when 95% of the traffic following a match is exiting away to the M.6 (North & South) or Erdington, Sutton, Lichfield with a relative dribble of (non-match) traffic using the other roads.  I am convinced that if the lights were suspended for one or one and half hours after a match the steady flow of traffic would be resumed. 

Anyone know whose ear has to be bent, to get traffic management (West Midlands/Birmingham Council?) to sort out this mess instead of thousands of stationary cars chugging out fumes while the occupants are, understandably, 'fuming' too? 

This is part of what i was referring to in my post on the previous page, over the last few years, the traffic management of that route away from the ground has made things considerably - not a bit, but a lot - worse

It’s more like traffic mismanagement. The simplest solution is to regulate traffic lights for two hours after the game with a bias. If they can’t be regulated easily or quickly for that two hour period switch them off.

[LeeB]

Traffic-wise, on our route, one simple thing made a huge, dramatic and negative difference a few years back. For those of us driving  away using Aston Hall Road/Lichfield Road towards the M.6 at Salford Circus (Spaghetti Junction), for years there would be a slow but steady flow with only a minimal hold-up. Then they introduced lights at Salford Circus. The effect was immediate: quite literally the next match following their introduction the traffic flow turned into a permanent jam inching along and it's been like that every match since. 

There is no need for lights at this huge, crucial roundabout when 95% of the traffic following a match is exiting away to the M.6 (North & South) or Erdington, Sutton, Lichfield with a relative dribble of (non-match) traffic using the other roads.  I am convinced that if the lights were suspended for one or one and half hours after a match the steady flow of traffic would be resumed. 

Anyone know whose ear has to be bent, to get traffic management (West Midlands/Birmingham Council?) to sort out this mess instead of thousands of stationary cars chugging out fumes while the occupants are, understandably, 'fuming' too? 

This is part of what i was referring to in my post on the previous page, over the last few years, the traffic management of that route away from the ground has made things considerably - not a bit, but a lot - worse

It’s more like traffic mismanagement. The simplest solution is to regulate traffic lights for two hours after the game with a bias. If they can’t be regulated easily or quickly for that two hour period switch them off.

Exactly this.

For example, the introduction of traffic lights which work in similar ways at both the Spitfire island by the Jag and the at J5 at the bottom of the Collector Rd made a huge difference in queues both ways.

[Neil Hawkes]

The worst driving/ road sense in Cyprus is on roundabouts, during the course of any normal day.

However, even here the local Police have traffic cops on the busiest roundabouts during the morning rush hour........................so why can't West Midlands finest have local Police directing traffic after a match?

[spartacuss]

Traffic-wise, on our route, one simple thing made a huge, dramatic and negative difference a few years back. For those of us driving  away using Aston Hall Road/Lichfield Road towards the M.6 at Salford Circus (Spaghetti Junction), for years there would be a slow but steady flow with only a minimal hold-up. Then they introduced lights at Salford Circus. The effect was immediate: quite literally the next match following their introduction the traffic flow turned into a permanent jam inching along and it's been like that every match since. 

There is no need for lights at this huge, crucial roundabout when 95% of the traffic following a match is exiting away to the M.6 (North & South) or Erdington, Sutton, Lichfield with a relative dribble of (non-match) traffic using the other roads.  I am convinced that if the lights were suspended for one or one and half hours after a match the steady flow of traffic would be resumed. 

Anyone know whose ear has to be bent, to get traffic management (West Midlands/Birmingham Council?) to sort out this mess instead of thousands of stationary cars chugging out fumes while the occupants are, understandably, 'fuming' too? 

Update. Managed to get through to someone in Birmingham City Council (tortuous process - wouldn't recommend it - probably made worse by the presence of the Govistas!).  She was very patient and helpful and accepted it was a problem and is putting it forward to the Highways Dept. and gave the issue a reference Number HGE013166 and location: Road name: SALFORD CIRCUS Ward: GRAVELLY HILL.  The email acknowledgement said I should be contacted within 5 - 10 days. (Probably shouldn't hold our fug-filled breaths until something concrete emerges...)

Will update again as and when.

[Percy McCarthy]

Traffic-wise, on our route, one simple thing made a huge, dramatic and negative difference a few years back. For those of us driving  away using Aston Hall Road/Lichfield Road towards the M.6 at Salford Circus (Spaghetti Junction), for years there would be a slow but steady flow with only a minimal hold-up. Then they introduced lights at Salford Circus. The effect was immediate: quite literally the next match following their introduction the traffic flow turned into a permanent jam inching along and it's been like that every match since. 

There is no need for lights at this huge, crucial roundabout when 95% of the traffic following a match is exiting away to the M.6 (North & South) or Erdington, Sutton, Lichfield with a relative dribble of (non-match) traffic using the other roads.  I am convinced that if the lights were suspended for one or one and half hours after a match the steady flow of traffic would be resumed. 

Anyone know whose ear has to be bent, to get traffic management (West Midlands/Birmingham Council?) to sort out this mess instead of thousands of stationary cars chugging out fumes while the occupants are, understandably, 'fuming' too? 

Update. Managed to get through to someone in Birmingham City Council (tortuous process - wouldn't recommend it - probably made worse by the presence of the Govistas!).  She was very patient and helpful and accepted it was a problem and is putting it forward to the Highways Dept. and gave the issue a reference Number HGE013166 and location: Road name: SALFORD CIRCUS Ward: GRAVELLY HILL.  The email acknowledgement said I should be contacted within 5 - 10 days. (Probably shouldn't hold our fug-filled breaths until something concrete emerges...)

Will update again as and when.

Excellent citizenship mate, well done.

[Sdwbvf]

Even if Witton has longer platforms and there are football or event specials that only stop there from New Street and maybe another station the other way, that would sort it far more than it is now.

Witton already gets extra trains. They could make that up to 8 coaches if they had longer wider platforms. They can't increase the Wallsall trains for the reasons already stated. On matchdays the Rugeley trains are diverted so thatvthey serve Villa Park too. An empty 8 coach train arriving at Witton would remove about 1200 people crush loaded (possibly more). They usually run it round twice which is 2400.

Last time I was anywhere near Manchester on a match day (on a train from London which was very crowded with Manyoo fans from their traditional catchment area!), they were shuttling a three coach train to and from Old Trafford, similar to what happens at Villa Park.

Newcastle has the metro, the London teams have the tube, apart from Palace, which gets extra trains. Most of the other teams are nowhere near stations.