£50 million fund earmarked for major transport projects supporting Aston Villa and Birmingham City FC agreed
A £50 million fund to transport projects supporting Aston Villa and Birmingham City FC has been agreed.
The huge pot, agreed by West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Board, will kick-start work on the new tram line to the Blues’ £3 billion Sports Quarter as well as upgrading Witton and Aston stations which serve Villa Park.
The £50 million will enable detailed design, surveys and business cases on several transport projects such as those two and progressing Coventry’s Very Light Rail project to the next phase.
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said: “Fans deserve a modern, reliable and affordable public transport to get them to and from their stadium on matchdays – so we have made these projects a priority and provided the funding to get them started straight away.
“This funding means we can complete essential design and survey work at an earlier stage and be ready to get spades in the ground next year.
“Together we are building a new transport network to fuel the economy, secure investment and bring the new homes and jobs local people need.”
The £50 million is an advance on the £2.4 billion Transport for City Regions funding coming from government to the West Midlands from 2027 to 2032.
The money will be used for new road, rail, tram, bus and active travel investment.
The aim is to get the Metro extension from Digbeth to the £3 billion Sports Quarter regeneration site ready for the opening of the new 62,000-seater stadium.
Bosses said getting the Metro extension open in time is key to unlocking Birmingham City FC owner Knighthead Capital’s investment plans for the Sports Quarter which will bring new homes and thousands of jobs for the community.
The upgrades to Witton and Aston railway stations are aimed at improving the passenger experience and ensure safer queuing.
It also supports the £150 million investment into Villa Park by the club, as well as getting the stations ready for hosting the Euro 2028 tournament.
Villa Park has previously hosted huge concerts including the farewell show for Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne in the summer but supporters have long complained about issues travelling to and from the ground.
Previously, WMCA Board has already agreed to allocate £400 million for Sports Quarter transport links including the Metro extension and a further £25 million for Witton and Aston station upgrades.
Funding for the Very Light Rail project will include upgrades of the tram and the innovative slab and track technology.
VLR will allow urban tramways to be built in half the time and for half the cost of traditional tram systems.
