I love trains, always have and always will. However, for the last two years, perpetual shuttles between the two great cities of Coventry and Birmingham have tested even my lifelong love.

Since the embryonic discussions over two years ago to form a shadow combined authority for the West Midlands, through the negotiation of our initial devolution deal and most recently working with the first directly elected mayor for the region, Andy Street, I have divided my time and energy as chief executive between Coventry City Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).