JustBeingCP

I have spent the last year or so campaigning to improve assisted travel for the disabled supporters who use the rail network when attending matches or events at Villa Park in Birmingham.

I cannot thank Aston Villa enough for believing in what I was trying to achieve on behalf of an forgotten element of our fanbase, especially Anthony Richards who is a simply a legend to all of the disabled supporters that visit Villa Park on match-days.

When I first told Anthony (the club’s Disability Liaison Officer) what I was attempting to achieve for those of us in wheelchairs who use the rail network on match-days he was genuinely more excited about it than me.

My message to everyone at Aston Villa, especially Anthony is this, I am so grateful to each and everyone of you for allowing me to do this campaign – It would not have been possible without the support of you Anthony.

The new signage at Witton Lane Station would basically be forgotten if it wasn’t for you touching base with the clubs marketing team to work out how best to promote it to all of our fanbase.

I am excited to see the promotion of the new signage by Aston Villa in the coming weeks as we navigate our way though Level Playing Fields, Unite for Access campaign which starts this Saturday the 24th of February and will run until Sunday the 10th of March.

I am getting quite emotional whilst writing this final piece as a thank you because I know how much hard work has been put into this project by all who were involved.

I would like to reiterate the message that I gave to all Villa fans who use the railway when attending matches on the 25th of January, Please remember that the wheelchair users using the network to get home from matches will require access to the boxes on each of the platforms. They are there to ensure that we can be seen and accessed by the senior conductor once the train has arrived at the station. 

If you would like to read my blogs about the campaign again the links to them can be found below:

Blog 1: https://just-being-cp.co.uk/2023/02/18/im-fed-of-traveling-by-train-to-aston-villa-matches-as-a-wheelchair-user/.

Blog 2: https://just-being-cp.co.uk/2023/04/03/west-midlands-trains-say-they-have-taken-steps-to-improve-the-standard-of-service-offered-to-disabled-aston-villa-supporters-at-witton-station/.

Blog 3: https://just-being-cp.co.uk/2023/07/27/huw-merriman-mp-asks-west-midlands-trains-to-meet-with-me-to-discuss-what-needs-to-be-done-to-improve-the-assistance-service-offered-to-disabled-supporters-on-match-days-at-witton-station/.

Blog 4: https://just-being-cp.co.uk/2023/08/20/getting-from-villa-park-after-aston-villa-vs-everton-was-a-shambolic-experience-because-i-wasnt-supported-by-west-midlands-trains/.

Blog 5: https://just-being-cp.co.uk/2023/08/29/west-midlands-trains-are-making-being-a-disabled-football-fan-hell-on-matchdays/.

Blog 6: https://just-being-cp.co.uk/2023/09/08/as-a-disabled-rail-passenger-i-deserve-better-from-west-midlands-trains/.

Blog 7: https://just-being-cp.co.uk/2023/11/03/why-the-hell-have-you-ignored-me-for-the-last-105-days/.

Blog 8: https://just-being-cp.co.uk/2023/11/28/we-arent-on-a-level-playing-field-with-our-able-bodied-counterparts-when-using-the-rail-network-to-attend-aston-villas-matches-at-villa-park/.

Blog 9: https://just-being-cp.co.uk/2023/12/09/i-am-looking-forward-to-enjoying-being-back-at-villa-park-following-my-successful-campaign/.

Blog 10: https://just-being-cp.co.uk/2023/12/14/i-am-getting-a-say-in-how-to-improve-the-accessibility-of-witton-lane-station-in-birmingham/.

Blog 11: https://just-being-cp.co.uk/2023/12/15/this-afternoon-i-have-updated-the-minister-for-rail-and-hs2-on-the-outcome-of-my-rail-accessibility-campaign/.

Blog 12: https://just-being-cp.co.uk/2023/12/19/accessibility-signage-locations-found-at-witton-lane-station-in-birmingham/.

Blog 13: https://just-being-cp.co.uk/2024/01/25/i-hope-that-my-successful-campaign-for-equal-access-to-the-rail-network-on-match-days-will-unite-aston-villas-fan-base/.

Blog 14: https://just-being-cp.co.uk/2024/02/05/today-is-the-day-that-i-could-cry-because-the-accessibility-signage-is-finally-in-place-at-witton-lane-station-in-birmingham/.

Blog 15: https://just-being-cp.co.uk/2024/02/05/the-funds-from-the-40000-fines-issued-by-west-midlands-trains-for-fare-evasion-should-be-spent-on-improving-the-accessibility-of-their-network/.

Blog 16: https://just-being-cp.co.uk/2024/02/11/the-service-that-i-received-at-witton-lane-station-in-birmingham-following-aston-villa-vs-manchester-united-was-incredible/.

If you enjoyed reading this weeks blog and would like to read more from me then subscribe here: https://just-being-cp.co.uk/.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank each and everyone of you, my readers and followers for continuing to take the time out of your busy schedules to read my latest blog.

Cam