Villa Park-ing

[SoccerHQ]

This is one area Christian Purslow needs to address. Why don't they run shuttle bus services particularly from the Centre to and from the ground? Less cars means less pollution that the Council Transportation Department keeps banging on about.

We're a football club. Buses are for the bus companies.

True but I went to Uni for three years in Stoke and due to their ground obviously being in the arse end of nowhere on a godforsaken windswept hill you could get quite a few shuttle buses outside the station and in centre of Stoke rather than having to walk alongside the canal so it can happen if the will is there.

Obviously VP is different in terms of location but train frequency has taken a hit post pandemic and I think a massive opportunity has been lost with tram extensions to have one terminating at Star City so that could've easily transported a couple of thousands a matchday to VP. Also should've had one going to Alex Stadium but if there's no will to do it now it won't happen in next decade.

There will surely have to be some transport tweaks in the expansion plan for the council to approve you'd think.

[villabear]

Due to work I’ve tried a couple of times when night matches are on to drive but arriving after 7 it’s nigh on impossible to park. This along with a parking ticket has put me off tbh.
The cross city train is great for getting there but as discussed previously after the game it’s a nightmare. On Saturday we decided at 80 minutes to leave to get the train just to miss the huge queues at Aston station.

[sid1964]

I park by Aston Hall and have to be there 3 hours prior to kick off to get a space -  there are guys their demanding £5.00 to look after your car (I have not yet paid), I would imagine that if you are a lady driver and they approached your car, this could be very intimidating for her.

I am taking a book with me to read in my car to pass the time, before walking to the ground

[Cleybrooke]

A trip Villa Park has degenerated into 3+ hours of queuing.

Queuing to park, queuing to get into Holte Suite, queuing at the bar, queuing to get into the upper Holte, queuing for a pre,match pie, queuing for half time beer, queuing to get out the car park and finally queuing in traffic.

After the Leeds game there were a number of Traffic Police managing cars onto the Lichfield Road which felt like it speeded things up.  Not there on Saturday though which meant an hour sitting in traffic.

And yes I could get the train but that involved queuing in Lovers Lane for hour an last time - at the least the car is warm and dry.

[Drummond]

I still don't understand why they don't go back to a one-way system after the game to get the traffic away.

[AlexAlexCropley]

Back in the 70s I lived in Tintern Rd-off Aston Lane.
And there were buses parked all along the Broadway waiting for the full time whistle.
Then shepherding fans to town/Erdington.
Also,there was a traffic policeman at Perry Barr island after the match to facilitate traffic from Witton and Aston Lane .
Now I don't see a number 7 on Witton Rd after the match.
A dedicated taxi area would help.
Extra buses for even half an hour .
Traffic management at Perry Barr,Six Ways Aston and Witton after the match for an hour.

[stubbsyandy]

Due to work I’ve tried a couple of times when night matches are on to drive but arriving after 7 it’s nigh on impossible to park. This along with a parking ticket has put me off tbh.
The cross city train is great for getting there but as discussed previously after the game it’s a nightmare. On Saturday we decided at 80 minutes to leave to get the train just to miss the huge queues at Aston station.

They weren’t too bad on Saturday..waited about five minutes in the queue

[amfy]

It’s a shame because it also impacts on the match atmosphere.
4-0 up & swathes of people leaving.
The team ending a 4-0 victory in front of a half empty Villa Park.
This isn’t what we want success to look like - it’s exactly what so many have taken the piss out of some other teams for.

[aldridgeboy]

Very true Amfy. I don’t think I’ve ever seen as many people leave early as I did on Saturday. Certainly not whilst winning !

[frank black]

It could be a false memory from me, but I seem to recall there being more trains with more carriages back in the days when I used to get the train. Or perhaps it was just because our attendances weren’t as high? 🤷‍♂️

[Chris Smith]

It could be a false memory from me, but I seem to recall there being more trains with more carriages back in the days when I used to get the train. Or perhaps it was just because our attendances weren’t as high? 🤷‍♂️

The frequency of trains was cut during the pandemic from 6 an hour to 4.

[Bad English]

It’s a shame because it also impacts on the match atmosphere.
4-0 up & swathes of people leaving.
The team ending a 4-0 victory in front of a half empty Villa Park.
This isn’t what we want success to look like - it’s exactly what so many have taken the piss out of some other teams for.

I noticed this on the telly. It was like the dark  days of DOL without the wankers signs to the pitch and the V's to the 'dougout'. I'm sure* those who need to 'beat the traffic' are the very same who need chips and curry sauce on 37 minutes. I understand it but it is disappointing.

*Not really.

[PGW]

It’s a shame because it also impacts on the match atmosphere.
4-0 up & swathes of people leaving.
The team ending a 4-0 victory in front of a half empty Villa Park.
This isn’t what we want success to look like - it’s exactly what so many have taken the piss out of some other teams for.

I noticed this on the telly. It was like the dark  days of DOL without the wankers signs to the pitch and the V's to the 'dougout'. I'm sure* those who need to 'beat the traffic' are the very same who need chips and curry sauce on 37 minutes. I understand it but it is disappointing.

*Not really.

37 minutes...you're avin a larf more like 32/33 i sit on end of row and continuously getting pestered to let people out.
I am one of those though that leave early ...struggle to walk so basically get a head start when clock strikes 90+

[Moonraker]

It did seem particularly bad on Saturday, felt like we were going to lose 4 -0 rather than a great win and a great performance. I always stay to clap them off (Wolves excepted) and didnt get the exodus bit.
On the trains, I suspect they will stick to 4 an hour on the cross city. Apparently they are more punctual that way! In fairness, they are all 6 carriage as well. Train spotter bit over.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Think when I do finally go to another game, I'll get the train. Will just have a few pints after the game, to let the traffic die down at the station.