New Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has promised to deliver the biggest overhaul to transport in a generation as she sets out the five key priorities for the Department for Transport (DfT).

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said the new motto and purpose of the DfT was “move fast and fix things”

In her first address to DfT staff, the Sheffield Heeley MP said the new motto and purpose of the department was “move fast and fix things”.

The Secretary of State has 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.

Haigh also set out her five strategic priorities as she pledged to put transport at “the heart of mission-driven government”.

The top priorities include:

• 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

The work will be supported by newly appointed Rail Minister, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, who brings decades of experience to help realise the Government’s ambition of transforming infrastructure and improving public transport to deliver for passengers.

In addition, the Prime Minister has announced the appointment of new ministers at the DfT, including Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood MP, Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood MP, and Aviation, Maritime and Security Minister Mike Kane MP.

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

In her address to staff, she also said the department would “focus relentlessly” on improving performance on the railways and introduce “much-needed rail reform”.

The Transport Secretary’s first official visit later this week will be focused on plans to deliver better buses in every corner of the country, beginning a round of engagement with mayors and devolved leaders who will be key delivery partners.

The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) has said it welcomes the newly announced DfT aims which closely align to its recently published manifesto on ‘A transport network for all our futures’.

Sue Percy, chief executive at the CIHT, said: “CIHT has consistently called for governments to show certainty and a clarity of vision to support the highways and transportation sector.

“We are pleased to see that the priorities we identified in our manifesto (including integrating transport, making transport greener and expanding bus services) have been echoed in the statement by the new Secretary of State. CIHT will be reaching out to the government to offer our support, advice and technical expertise to deliver on these aims.”

Paul Holland, managing director for UK/ANZ fleet at Corpay, including UK brand, Allstar, said he hoped that the new government would take a strategic and long-term approach to transport.

“Too many times we’ve seen politics at play rather than pledges for real change. We have a fresh start from a recent history of four Secretaries of State for Transport in the past five years. My hope is that our new government changes the way that energy and transport work in the UK by running the sectors more like the Bank of England, as a separate entity apart from party politics that just has to deal with the facts, not necessarily what wins votes.

“Freed from the political cycle, it could make long-term changes knowing that they won’t be overturned by the next party and start to really make specific and tangible progress on bringing the UK’s transportation system into the 21^st century.”

With the Labour manifesto having pledged to reintroduce the 2030 ICE ban for cars, accelerate the rollout of charge points and standardise EV battery information for used car buyers, Holland also set out his thoughts on where change is needed.

“I don’t think the focus should be on infrastructure for a start,” he said, “as there are plenty of chargers on the streets already and the majority of charging is going to happen in drivers’ homes or businesses. We need subsidies to help individuals and businesses to buy EVs. Similar schemes have existed in the past, and there’s no reason why this new government can’t bring them back and tackle this challenge head on.

“This theme of cost extends from incentivising the sale of new EVs to the second-hand market. I’m encouraged that the government has made pledges around this, but they must provide adequate support to consumers and businesses alike with the costs of buying the vehicles. Perhaps taking funds from the sales of ICE vehicles and fossil fuels and earmarking them for incentives for EVs can help to increase the uptake of EVs and make transport cheaper for everyone.”