Newly appointed UK transport secretary Louise Haigh has set out five key priorities “to deliver the biggest overhaul to transport in a generation”.
The secretary of state convened officials to begin work across the department on rail reform, further devolution of bus powers and supporting local authorities to fix roads for the long term.
In her first address to UK Department for Transport (DfT) staff (see video below), Haigh set out five strategic priorities, including improving performance on the railways and driving forward rail reform; improving bus services and growing usage across the country; transforming infrastructure to work for the whole country, promoting social mobility and tackling regional inequality; delivering greener transport, and better integrating transport networks.
The transport secretary’s first official visit later this week will reportedly focus on plans to deliver better buses, beginning a round of engagement with mayors and devolved leaders, regarded as key delivery partners.
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Haigh said: “It will take all our effort but the new motto of our department – our purpose – is simple: move fast and fix things.
“Our department is so clearly central to achieving the missions for government that the prime minister has committed us to.
“Growth, net zero, opportunity, women and girls’ safety, health – none of these can be realised without transport as a key enabler.”
Haigh said the UK DfT would “think about infrastructure and services together at every turn”.
She also said the department would “focus relentlessly” on improving performance on the railways and introduce “much-needed rail reform”.
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Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill CBE has been appointed rail minister to help realise the government’s pledge to transform infrastructure and improve public transport for passengers.
In addition, new ministers at the DfT include future of roads minister Lilian Greenwood, local transport minister Simon Lightwood, and aviation, maritime and security minister Mike Kane.
Haigh will shortly be attending the Privy Council to be officially sworn in as secretary of state.
During her time as shadow secretary of state for transport, Haigh laid out Labour’s plans for Britain’s railways, which you can watch in the video directly below.
