Thank you to everyone who responded to the Trust’s recent survey on the proposed closure of Bordesley railway station and its potential impact for Blues supporters on match days. There were 182 responses in total.

The main messages from the survey results were:

• The overwhelming majority of fans surveyed (98%) opposed the closure of the station;
• Many fans commented that the station should remain open until at least the Powerhouse stadium is ready;
• Closing the station will cause considerable disruption to fans who currently use it.Over 50% of fans said their journey time to St. Andrew’s@Knighthead Park would increase by more than 30 minutes;
• Closing the station would have an impact on both the football club and local businesses. 42% of respondents said they would attend fewer matches, and a further 33% said that they may attend fewer matches. 77% of fans said that they would be less likely to visit local businesses if the station closed;
• Several respondents highlighted that they had reduced mobility and, if the station closed, none of the public transport alternatives suggested would be acceptable to them and they would have to stop attending games;
• There is considerable concern from fans about increased road congestion in the event of the station’s closure. 43% of fans affected said they would use the car in the event of the station closing. Fans potentially using alternative stations (e.g. Small Heath) raised concerns about the longer walk to the current St.Andrew’s@KnightheadPark stadium;
• More generally there is concern about whether enough consideration has been given to the new developments in the Digbeth area, and whether the future value of the station to the local (non-football) community has been fully recognised;
• Additionally, questions were raised on the potential for fan usage once the Sports Quarter is opened, especially for fans from the Shirley, Solihull and Dorridge area;
• Several respondents also bemoaned the cutting of the services from  central Birmingham before games in 2024, and also the train capacity currently provided;
• There was a strong feeling that if the station/services were improved demand could rise quite substantially as long as it is made safe to do so.

The Trust has responded to the Department for Transport’s (DfT) consultation on the proposed closure based on the survey findings. In the response, the Trust argues that Bordesley station should at least remain open until the new stadium in the Sports Quarter is operational, and associated new transport links are open. Additionally, that the long-term case to close the station is re-examined because there appears to be greater future potential than the current evaluation has assumed, both with regard to fans and other passengers from southeast Birmingham and its environs, and with regard to ongoing local developments in the Digbeth area.

The DfT’s response is expected later this year.

The original article on our website is at this link
https://www.bluestrust.org/2026/04/bordesley-railway-station-closure/.

Blues Trust