London transport post for Shawcross

Lord (Andrew) Adonis has turned down the opportunity to become London’s transport guru under new mayor Sadiq Khan.

The former Labour minister is thought to be unwilling to give up his other public-sector roles, including serving as chair of George Osborne’s newly-created National Infrastructure Commission.

Adonis will, however, chair Crossrail 2, replacing Daniel Moylan, who was appointed by former London mayor Boris Johnson.

The post of deputy mayor for transport goes to Val Shawcross, a former Labour Assembly member. Elected at the inaugural City Hall elections in 2000, she represented Lambeth and Southwark for 16 years before stepping down at this month’s election.

Before County Hall, she served on Croydon council between 1994 and 2000, becoming its leader in 1997. Her work in local government was recognised in 2002 when she was awarded a CBE.

During Ken Livingstone’s mayoralty, she served as chair of the capital’s fire authority and more recently of the transport committee, routinely tackling Transport for London bosses on the accessibility and affordability of the capital’s transport network.

She will need to work closely with the four commercial airports within her jurisdiction, Biggin Hill, Heathrow, London City and Northolt, while keeping a strategic eye on both Gatwick and Luton. 

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