Haigh: “our purpose is simple: move fast and fix things”

In her first address to Department for Transport (DfT) staff new Transport Secretary Louise Haigh promised to deliver “the biggest overhaul to transport in a generation”.

On her first day in office Haigh convened officials to “begin work at pace” across the department on rail reform, further devolution of bus powers, ensuring infrastructure works for the whole country, and supporting local authorities to fix roads for the long term.

Saying transport is now at the heart of a mission-driven government, Haigh told staff her five strategic priorities were:

• 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

• better integrating transport networks

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 also said DfT would “think about infrastructure and services together at every turn”.

Other confirmed members of the DfT ministerial team include:

• Network Rail chair Lord (Peter) Hendy of Richmond Hill as Rail Minister

• Lilian Greenwood MP for Nottingham South as Future of Roads Minister

• Simon Lightwood MP for Wakefield and Rothwell Local Transport Minister

• Mike Kane MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East  asAviation, Maritime, and Security Minister

The new shadow transport secretary is Helen Whately, MP for Faversham and Mid Kent. The two most recent Conservative Transport Secretaries Mark Harper and Grant Shapps both lost their seats in the general election.