DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT

What is the Department for Transport?

The Department for Transport is the government department in charge of the English transport system.

It also is responsible for some areas in Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland which are not devolved.

(Devolution meaning “the statutory granting of powers from the Parliament of the United Kingdom to the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly and to their associated executive bodies the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive.”)

Secretary of State/Ministers

• Justine Greening - Secretary of State Overall responsibility, transport security, high speed rail.

• Theresa Villiers - Minister of State RailAviation and London transport.

• Norman Baker - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

Buses and taxis, walking and cycling, parking.

• Mike Penning - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

Roads, freight and maritime.

Justine Greening

Main areas of responsibilityRoads:• Ensuring the road network functions efficiently

and safely.

Aviation:• The Department’s role is to develop policies and

long-term strategies; to facilitate their implementation; and to lead international negotiations in the aviation sector.

Rail:• The Department for Transport’s responsibilities in

the running of the railways are to provide strategic direction and to procure rail services and projects that only it can specify.

Shipping:• The Department for Transport works to ensure

that the UK’s shipping, ports and waterways are operated in an efficient, safe, secure and sustainable manner.

Mission Statement

“Our vision is for a transport system that is an engine for economic growth, but one that is also greener and safer and improves quality of life in our communities.”

Current Priorities

• Deliver the Coalition’s commitments on high speed rail

• Secure our railways for the future• Encourage sustainable local travel• Tackle carbon and congestion on our roads

• Promote sustainable aviation

Objectives

• Sustain economic growth and improved productivity through reliable and efficient transport networks.

• Improve the environmental performance of transport.

• Strengthen the safety and

security of transport.• Enhance access to jobs,

services and social networks,

including for the most

disadvantaged people.

Other information

• The Department for Transport was formed in 2002

• The headquarters is in London• The annual budget is £5.3 billion (current) & £7.7 billion (capital) in 2011-12

Sources• http://www.dft.gov.uk/• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department_for_Transport/• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devolution#United_Kingdom/• http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.115/• http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/aboutvosa/whatwedo/

whatwedo.htm/