Transport challenge 'will take time'

Improving Britain's crumbling transport system will "take time", new Transport Secretary Alistair Darling has told BBC News.

It will take time but I am determined to see it through

Alistair Darling, Transport Secretary

But he stressed the investment was in place to make a difference in the longer term.

"We have got the money. My job is to make sure that that money is translated into improvements in train running times and improvements in performance," Mr Darling told BBC political editor Andrew Marr.

Mr Darling has been drafted in by Tony Blair to replace Stephen Byers, who quit the job on Tuesday after months of mounting pressure.

'Determined'

Mr Darling - widely seen as one of the government's greatest assets - is replaced at the Department of Work and Pensions by Andrew Smith.

The new transport secretary will be charged with the crucial task of improving Britain's road and rail network in time for the next general election.

"It will take time but I am determined to see it through," Mr Darling said.

Cleared out

Mr Smith leaves his job as chief secretary to the Treasury and is succeeded by the UK's first ever black cabinet minister, Paul Boateng.

Mr Darling: Regarded as a safe pair of hands
	Alistair Darling MP for Edinburgh Central since 1987 Work and Pensions Secretary 1998-2002 Chief Secretary to the Treasury 1996-97 A former solicitor and advocate, he is married with two children Profile in full

Stephen Byers announced his departure at a hastily-arranged press conference at 10 Dowing Street press conference on Tuesday.

He said his continued presence on the frontbenches would damage the government.

He admitted he had "made mistakes" but insisted he was not a liar.

His departure was quickly followed by that of the transport department's top civil servant, Sir Richard Mottram, who has been moved to the department of work and pensions.

That means that all the key players in the 'spingate' row, including former special adviser Jo Moore and head of media Martin Sixsmith, have been cleared out of the transport department.

From dome to home

Difficulties there have also prompted the decision to slim down the department's portfolio.

Mr Darling will handle transport while Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott will take charge of the regions once more.

Dome minister Lord Falconer, meanwhile, goes to the Home Office where he will be in charge of criminal justice.

Mr Boateng continues his steady rise in government

David Miliband has been appointed Schools Minister to replace Stephen Timms who becomes a Minister of State at the Department of Trade and Industry.

Mr Darling arrived at his new department shortly after his appointment to declare: "I'm very much looking forward to my new job, thank you very much."

Mr Byers acknowledged his decision not to sack Ms Moore after her notorious e-mail urging colleagues to "bury bad news" on 11 September had contributed to his departure.

He also blamed vengeful Railtrack shareholders in the City.

Mr Blair - who stood by Mr Byers as allegations against him mounted up - said he "understood and respected" his decision.