Norman Baker - Transport Minister

[newhaven seagull 85]

how can a confirmed republican be in her majesties government.

 

[Screaming J]

I am sorry to see Lord Adonis go, as he was the first Transport Secretary in a generation to actually have a real interest in the subject (the last was Ernest Marples, but he was heavily biased in favour of roads, and initiated the Beeching cuts).

Wasn't some of Marples bias towards roads due to him owning a road building company? When the conflict of interest was pointed out he relinquished ownership......to his wife!!!

Returning to Norm; if he does get the rail portfolio there may be one or two people in houses/businesses in Hamsey/Isfield feeling a bit uneasy - given his keenness to reopen the Lewes - Uckfield link. Not that that's a bad idea, mind.....

 

[Storer68]

18 May 2010
Norman Baker joins the DfT

Robin Mannering

Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker has joined the Department for Transport as minister for local transport.

Mr Baker will work alongside his former shadow rival, Conservative MP Theresa Villiers, who takes responsibility for rail and aviation. Mike Penning, Conservative MP for Hemel Hempstead, completes the junior ministerial team, with responsibility for the strategic road network. The ministers will report to secretary of state, Philip Hammond.

Mr Baker will also take responsibility for buses and sustainable transport. This fits well with his support for public transport and rail expansion over road building.

He is also a staunch advocate of national road pricing, which was a key Lib Dem manifesto pledge but will not be taken forward under the new coalition government. And Mr Hammond has already declared an end to the ‘war on motorists’ - a comment which has attracted criticism from transport groups.

Richard George of the Campaign for Better Transport said: ‘I didn’t realise the war had begun.

‘While public transport users have to put up with above-inflation fare rises, car drivers are enjoying ever cheaper motoring. Politicians starting phoney wars...’.

 

[surrey jim]

old news im afraid
Norman Baker - Minister of Transport ?? - North Stand Chat

 

[Spun Cuppa]

He knows how to drive a bus through a planning application, unfortunately

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

How long before he resurrects the idea of the Lewes to Uckfield rail link again?

 

[Lord Bracknell]

old news im afraid
Norman Baker - Minister of Transport ?? - North Stand Chat

Threads now merged.

 

[ben andrews' girlfriend]

I'm genuinely shocked reading that.


He's married with a daughter?

With his looks and personality?

*cough*money*cough*

 

[dje shoreham]

How long before he resurrects the idea of the Lewes to Uckfield rail link again?

unlikely he can influence this - Network Rail are under massive pressure to cut costs and Lewes to Uckfield is currently not near the top of the list.

 

[Stinky Kat]

I work for DfT in the bus subsidy world so in a kind of way Norman is my boss - nice

 

[itszamora]

*cough*money*cough*

MPs aren't that well off though. It hasn't got Ann Widdecombe laid, after all.

I'm more shocked he's Scottish. Explains a lot though.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

It's not money, but POWER.

 

[jmsc]

The biggest problem I have with Baker is his views and handling of the single carriageway A27 Polegate to Lewes Road.
.... marvellous

You obviously don't live on this stretch of the A27 or anywhere near?

To quote you

.... marvellous