A £93million electric rail service could be built to connect our south Essex towns in revolutionary new plans.

The proposals - which are in line with London’s tube network or a tram service -would deliver a 24/7 operation.

Six huge stations would be built to connect the network together, at Brentwood, Grays, Basildon, Southend, and Southend Airport - with the scheme dubbed the “rapid transit network.”

Council bosses hope the project, if successful, will provide a hop on hop off service, keeping young people in the town centres for longer.

Gavin Callaghan, the leader of Basildon Council, visited Malmo in Sweden at the start of year to learn more about how the town keeps its young people in the town.

He said: “It will most likely end up being a 24/7 hop on hop off service which will run like a bus route.

“It would keep running all night.

“It will extend further into the county than the train line does at the moment.

“It will be 100 per cent electric and sustainable.

“The only way to get into Basildon in the evening is through a very expensive taxi or mum and dad.”

The plans have been submitted as part of a report from the Association of south Essex local authorities, known as Asela.

The report said: “The first phase of this over the next five years will require an initial investment of £30 million.

“The rapid transit network will provide direct, high frequency, inter-urban links between the key public transport hubs, operating with a minimum frequency of six per hour during the three hour morning and evening peak periods.”

The location of the transport stations across south Essex are yet to be decided - with the cost set to be £63million.

Kevin Buck, Southend Council’s deputy councillor in charge of transport, questioned the impact on roads.

He said: “I can’t knock the principle behind it, but I have some grave concerns about the cost.

“That kind of investment will take it away from the roads, which is much needed.

“To get a tram up to Thurrock would take more than 90 minutes. You can get there in 25 minutes in a car.

“It would be a detriment to the infrastructure of the road networks.”