Longstanding Under Secretary of State Norman Baker lost his transport brief in a Government reshuffle on Monday. The Liberal Democrat MP had been a prolific conference speaker on rail, bus, cycling and alternative vehicle technology.

Mr Baker was the only remaining Minister at the Department for Transport to have held his post since the Coalition came to power in May 2010. He has been moved to the Home Office.

Another Transport Minister leaving office is Simon Burns. Newly appointed to the Department this week are the Conservative MP Robert Goodwill, who becomes Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, and Baroness Kramer from the Liberal Democrats who becomes a Minister of State.

Labour also reshuffled its transport team this week. Out goes the Shadow Transport Secretary Maria Eagle who is replaced by Mary Creagh, whose brief previously involved environment, food and rural affairs.

Commenting on the reshuffles, the Campaign for Better Transport’s chief executive Stephen Joseph said: "Just as the Government's aviation commission calls for more runways, two new Transport Ministers arrive who have openly opposed a bigger Heathrow.

“Meanwhile, one of Labour's strongest advocates of HS2, Maria Eagle, is moved on from the shadow transport brief. The reshuffle highlights how politically charged the transport brief will be in the run up to the General Election."

Mr Joseph also paid tribute to Norman Baker’s efforts in Government. "Many in the transport sector will be sorry to see him go. It is rare that you get a Minister who has such a strong understanding of his brief and also unusual for them to be given enough time to make a real difference.”

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