New transport secretary Douglas Alexander could well have a hard job to emulate the "steady as she goes" approach of his predecessor Alistair Darling, who has been a "safe pair of hands" at the transport department.
Having been in the job for almost four years, Mr Darling has taken much of the political heat out of transport but deep-rooted and long-term problems remain: crowded roads; crowded airports and packed trains, with more rail journeys now being taken than at any time since the late 1950s.
One of the main issues facing Mr Alexander is the question of capacity on the railways. Also, with the Strategic Rail Authority scrapped and rail coming more under the direct control of the transport department, there is the constant battle with the treasury for more rail funds. A White Paper on the railways is scheduled for next year.
Mr Darling paved the way for road toll trials. However, it could be the middle of the next decade before schemes are rolled out and cynics doubt whether anything more than congestion charging for some urban areas will be practical or politically acceptable.
As well as wrestling with the problems of congestion, Mr Alexander will have his hands full just controlling his department. Earlier this week a report from the House of Commons transport committee said the department had to "raise its game" and that it was "sluggish and muddled".
- (PA)