A 20-year £15 billion vision for the tram and rail network across the West Midlands has been outlined this afternoon by the region's mayor.
Andy Street said he would like to open eight new Metro lines and 21 new rail stations across the West Midlands by 2040.
It is the first major policy announcement by the incumbent Tory mayor as the wheels start turning on his bid to be re-elected as West Midlands Mayor at the election in May.
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As part of today's announcement, Mr Street is showcasing a new map of the West Midlands akin to London's famous Tube map (above) which highlights all the potential rail and tram lines which could be built.
The vision includes more than 150 miles of new lines and around 380 new stops on the West Midlands Metro network, in addition to the trams running on roads and rail lines.
Mr Street also said he wanted sections of the line to run underground, using 'cut and cover' tunnelling to allow traffic to drive above the tram line where there was not enough space on narrower roads.
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In Coventry, new technology such as very light rail trams and driverless autonomous pods would be used to connect sites such as the University of Warwick, Jaguar Land Rover, Ansty and the city centre.
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He also announced today plans to add 21 new railway stations in the West Midlands by 2040, including re-opening the Sutton Park Line starting with Aldridge station, re-opening Pelsall and Brownhills stations and building a new station at Tettenhall.
In Coventry, there are plans for four new stations at Coundon Road, Foleshill, Coventry South and Binley, and in Balsall Heath and at Dudley Road, in Birmingham.
Previously announced projects, which are further along in the development process, include new stations south of Birmingham city centre in Kings Heath, Moseley and Hazelwell, and in Darlaston and Willenhall on the Walsall to Wolverhampton line.
It is estimated that the total cost of these plans would be around £750 million per year for the next 20 years which would be met by additional funding from central Government, contributions from housing and commercial developers and borrowing against the future income from ticket sales on the metro, the mayor said.
Investment in West Midlands railways
Mr Street said: "For too long, we have been left behind London and Manchester and other cities around the world.
"We are a world-class city region and we deserve a world-class metro and rail network.
"In recent years, we have made great progress completing the metro extension to Centenary Square on time and on budget and bringing the plans for the new rail stations to life in south Birmingham and the Black Country.
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"But now is time for the next stage of ambition. This plan will connect communities which haven't had metro or rail lines for decades and restore pride in the West Midlands."
So far, Beverley Nielsen and Kathryn Downs have also declared they will stand in the West Midlands Mayoral election, for the Lib Dems and Green Party respectively, but Labour is yet to announce its chosen candidate.