The Deputy Minister for Transport () is a minister of the Welsh Government. It was previously a cabinet role known as the Cabinet Secretary for Transport () until 2026. The current officeholder is Mark Hooper, since May 2026.
Holders of the role NamePictureEntered officeLeft officeOther offices heldPolitical partyGovernmentNotesSecretary for TransportSue Essex22 February 200016 October 2000Secretary for EnvironmentLabourMichael administrationSecretary for PlanningInterim Rhodri Morgan administrationMinister for TransportSue Essex20002003Minister for EnvironmentLabourFirst Rhodri Morgan governmentMinister for PlanningDeputy Minister for Economic Development and TransportBrian Gibbons13 May 200310 January 2005LabourSecond Rhodri Morgan governmentTamsin Dunwoody-Kneafsey14 January 20052007LabourSecond Rhodri Morgan governmentMinister for TransportBrian Gibbons7 June 20072007Minister for the EconomyLabourThird Rhodri Morgan governmentCabinet Secretary for InfrastructureKen SkatesMay 20162017LabourThird Jones governmentCabinet Secretary / Minister for TransportKen Skates20172021Minister for the EconomyLabourThird Jones governmentMinister for North WalesFirst Drakeford governmentDeputy Minister for Climate ChangeLee Waters13 May 202120 March 2024LabourSecond Drakeford governmentCabinet Secretary for TransportKen Skates21 March 2024Cabinet Secretary for North WalesLabourGething government Deputy Minister for TransportMark Hooper13 May 2026IncumbentPlaid Cymruap Iorwerth government
Background Following the 2021 Senedd election, First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford announced in the formation of the next Welsh government, that he would form a "super-ministry" centred on climate change, combining the portfolios of the environment, energy, housing, planning and transport. It would be headed by a Minister for Climate Change (announced to be Julie James MS), with a deputy minister assisting the government division.
The position partly oversaw transport in Wales, with the position also referred to by derivatives of the old name such as "transport minister".
Waters, the holder from 2021, oversaw during his period in the position a changing of the default speed limit on restricted roads from 30mph to 20mph, conducting a roads review involving scaling back new road construction, and overseeing the impact of COVID-19 on public transport in Wales, such as buses.
The ascendance of Vaughan Gething to the position of First Minister saw a new Cabinet formed, and the creation of the position of Cabinet Secretary for Transport. Ken Skates became the Cabinet Secretary and was also the Cabinet Secretary for North Wales.
After the 2026 Senedd election, Mark Hooper was appointed as the Deputy Minister for Transport.
Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the post are: Text was copied from this source, which is available under an Open Government Licence v3.0. Crown copyright.
Transport Transport policy Transport for Wales Roads, including construction, improvement and maintenance of motorways and trunk roads Bus services Rail services through the Wales and Borders franchise Global Centre of Rail Excellence Active travel Aviation policy (including on Cardiff Airport) Ports policy Road safety; safer routes to schools; transport for children and young people; regulation of pedestrian crossings and on-street parking
See also
Ministry
References