Department for Transport
In the United Kingdom, the Department for Transport (or DfT) (Welsh: Adran am Drafnidiaeth) is the government department responsible for the English transport network and a limited number of transport matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which are not devolved. The department is run by the Secretary of State for Transport, currently Philip Hammond.
History
Government control of transport and diverse associated matters has been reorganised a number of times in modern history, being the responsibility of:
- 2002– Department for Transport
- 2001–2002: Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions
- 1997–2001: Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
- 1981–1997: Department of Transport
- 1979–1981: Ministry of Transport
- 1976–1979: Department of Transport
- 1970–1976: Department for the Environment
- 1959–1970: Ministry of Transport
- 1953–1959: Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation
- 1945–1953: Ministry of Transport
- 1941–1945: Ministry of War Transport - after absorption of Ministry of Shipping
- 1919–1941: Ministry of Transport
The name "Ministry of Transport" lives on in the annual MOT test, which most vehicles used on public roads in the UK are required to pass once they are three years old (4 years in NI).
Role
The Department for Transport has four strategic 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; and
- enhance access to jobs, services and social networks, including for the most disadvantaged people.
The department "creates the strategic framework" for transport services, which are delivered through a wide range of public and private sector bodies including its own executive agencies.