Sunday, September 8, 2024
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Transport Secretary puts “delivering on green transport” at centre of policy

New Transport Secretary Louise Haigh promised to deliver the biggest overhaul to transport in a generation, including a promise to “deliver on green transport”.

Haigh said that she was going to ensure better integration of transport networks, which has been a constant ask of the industry, as well as delivering on greener transport and “transforming infrastructure to work for the whole country”.

In addition, she said that she would improve railway performance and bus services, as outlined in its manifesto.

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 Department for Transport would ‘think about infrastructure and services together at every turn’.

In addition, she unveiled her team including Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood MP, Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood MP, and Aviation, Maritime, and Security Minister Mike Kane MP alongside Rail Minister, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill CBE, who will also bring decades of experience to “help realise the Government’s ambition of transforming infrastructure and improving public transport to deliver for passengers”, the department said.

One of her first meetings was a round of engagement with Mayors and devolved leaders on delivering better bus services, which will include the plans already in place for decarbonisation of the bus network.

Max Sugarman, Chief Executive of Intelligent Transport Systems UK (ITS UK), said it looked forward to working with the incoming transport ministers on the new strategy.

He said:

“As the Manifesto highlights, the intelligent transport industry stands ready to work with the Government, whether by improving our rail network through smart ticketing, supporting demand responsive transport bus services, delivering a MaaS Strategy that better integrates the transport system, or providing a greener road network through the gradual roll out of fair and understandable ‘pay as you drive’ scheme – to name but a few of the recommendations.”

Sue Percy CBE, Chief Executive CIHT, welcomed the news and said it was pleased that its priorities outlined in its own manifesto – integrating transport, green transport and bus services – had been recognised by Haigh.

She said:

“We welcome the government providing the vision to outline their strategic priorities for transport in the first week of their new administration. CIHT has consistently called for governments to show certainty and a clarity of vision to support the highways and transportation sector.”

“CIHT is looking forward to working with the government to enable the delivery of better transport networks, that work for all.”

Image of Louise Haigh courtesy of the Department for Transport

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