Network Rail Issues Birmingham Travel Advice Ahead of Black Sabbath Farewell Show

Network Rail has issued travel advice ahead of a busy weekend in Birmingham as local legends Black Sabbath are planned to take their final bow at Villa Park this Saturday.

The event is just one of several huge gatherings in the city over the weekend which also includes England v India at Edgbaston, ELO at the Utilita Arena, the Colmore Food Festival, and Billy Ocean at the NEC.

Ozzy the bull has received a makeover for the special occasion, which will see both Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osborne himself perform their final sets this Saturday

The packed calendar is expected to bring more than 200,000 extra people to the city centre across Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with a large portion travelling by train.

In order to reduce any difficulties, Network Rail has advised passengers to plan journeys well in advance, check before they travel, allow plenty of time, not rely on last trains and to know the last three services to get back to their end destinations.

Extra staff will be posted at Birmingham New Street, as well as other stations, in order to aid those looking for any assistance during their journeys.

Black Sabbath fans have also been encouraged to make full use of both Aston and Witton stations to travel to Villa Park.

Elizabeth Graham, Network Rail’s Birmingham New Street station manager, said:
It's due to be an amazing weekend with historic gigs, brilliant sport, and a huge food festival attracting huge crowds into the city centre. We will be on hand all weekend to help people but need everyone to plan ahead, and always check before they travel so they can get in and out of the city centre as easily as possible.

I'd also encourage people to not rely on the very last train to get home as it will likely be very busy and you might not be able to get on. It's always better to know your last three trains and allow extra time.

Of course, when you're at Birmingham New Street, make sure you take a selfie with our own Ozzy the bull and see the stunning Black Sabbath mural on Navigation Street.

Birmingham New Street has experienced difficulties this week due to damaged electrical wires, with the section between New Street and Water Orton in Warwickshire being the source of the trouble.