Kelly takes over the reins at transport department
Date: 11 July 2007
Ruth Kelly, the new secretary of state for transport, takes over the reins from Douglas Alexander, one of Gordon Brown's closest political allies.
Alexander was known to hold strong views on certain issues affecting logistics companies.
In an interview with the Telegraph, Eurotunnel chairman Jacques Gounon said Alexander played a pivotal role in the channel tunnel company's restructuring plan, which resulted in its debts being slashed.
He toasted the former transport secretary, saying: "I would like to pay tribute to Douglas Alexander. He channelled the right message: 'We want the company to be saved.'"
Meanwhile, he indicated that he would like to see national road toll cards put in place across the UK within ten years.
Stephen Ladyman, the previous minister of state for transport, was appointed to the post in May 2005, and resigned when Tony Blair stepped down last month.
Ladyman was keen to see the widespread adoption of cleaner fuels and what he called "eco-safe driving". However, he also firmly believed that carbon transport volumes cannot be cut at the expense of economic activity.
He was replaced as minister of state for transport by Rosie Winterton, who was previously minister of state at the Department of Health.
Meanwhile, Ruth Kelly has hailed the "wonderful opportunity" she has been given as secretary of state for transport.
She told the Bolton News: "Gordon made it clear how central the Department for Transport is. It affects us all. We have made some good progress but there's lots of work to be done."
Ms Kelly will be focusing on issues such as the proposed congestion charge in Greater Manchester - a bone of contention among freight forwarders.
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