DfT creates co-directorship for local transport

The Department for Transport (DfT) has appointed Jessica Matthew (pictured) as a co-director of local transport, alongside Stephen Fidlar, Transport Network can reveal.

The appointment is understood to be in response to the major increase in work in the local transport directorate, in large part as a result of the COVID crisis.

Ms Matthew has previously held a number of roles at the DfT, including director of strategy and private office, and deputy director of rail digital services.

She has also worked at the communities department and had roles that included responsibility for sustainable travel and for boosting the economic growth for cities.

Sources suggest the directorate will be led jointly by Ms Matthew and Mr Fidlar although they will take everyday oversight of different issues.

A DfT spokesperson said: 'Ms Matthew has been appointed due to her excellent expertise and years of experience working across multiple modes in the department.

'She will be pivotal in helping deliver the Department's ambitions around levelling up and decarbonising local transport and delivering local networks in the coming Parliament.'