London deputy mayor for transport Val Shawcross is retiring, it was announced today, after 18 years at the Greater London Authority. She will be replaced by Labour MP Heidi Alexander (pictured, right).
Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “I want to thank Val (pictured centre) for the exceptional service she has given to London as an Assembly member and deputy mayor – and for her personal friendship.
“Val is hugely respected by politicians from all parties and her deep expertise on transport in London has made life better for millions of Londoners – whether making our public transport network more accessible and affordable, delivering huge projects such as the Elizabeth Line, or improving TfL as an organisation.”
Shawcross said: “After more than 18 years at the GLA, and having steered through the Mayor’s Transport Strategy and five-year business plan, now is the right time for me to stand down."
New deputy mayor Alexander has been Labour MP for Lewisham East since 2010, and was shadow secretary for health.
She has also been a member of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee.
Shawcross will retire in the summer, with Alexander taking the reins. The latter must first stand down as an MP by law before taking up her new post.
The mayor has also said, in due course, he will nominate Alexander to also succeed Shawcross as deputy chair of TfL.
Khan said of Alexander’s appointment: “Heidi is respected across the political divide as a parliamentarian and campaigner, and Londoners can be confident she will ensure we deliver our ambitious plans to transform London’s transport network over the coming years.”
