It seems a long time ago but I wanted to thank residents of Wythenshawe and Sale East for re-electing me on July 4 this year.

It’s truly a privilege to represent my hometown and to form a government. I was also delighted to be appointed as Under Parliamentary Secretary of State for Transport with specific responsibility for Aviation, Maritime, Space, Security, Research and Development and AI.

The brief is huge and complex and that’s why I wanted to speak specifically about the importance of transport as we return to the House of Parliament after summer recess.

To quote Louise Haigh MP, Secretary of State for Transport, we now have the opportunity to "move fast and fix things".

The rail reform bill was announced in the King's Speech and I was pleased to see that the full renationalisation of train operations is scheduled for around 2027.

That bill was brought before the house on Tuesday this week and I look forward to rail which works for travellers.

As franchises expire, or when they underperform, they will come back in house unifying track and train operations.

As someone who spends a lot of time catching (or attempting to catch) trains it cannot be beyond a great country like ours to have trains that run, that run on time, don’t require a second mortgage to buy a ticket and have enough staff to ensure journeys are safe and pleasant?

Other countries manage it and I have every confidence that the legislation we are bringing forth this session will vastly improve conditions on our railways.

Buses really are the lifeblood of community transport, and that’s why they have been a priority of my party locally and nationally.

In January 2025 the Bee Network will finally roll out in Wythenshawe and Sale East. Mayor Andy Burnham and TfGM have worked incredibly hard to make this joined up travel network a reality and it will bring safe, affordable, reliable services around Greater Manchester.

The manifesto we stood on highlighted growth, net zero, safety for women and girls, opportunities for new jobs and new industries and net zero, none of which can happen without us improving transport.

A key priority for me locally will be delivering on that connected, safe, affordable and reliable transport system for residents in Wythenshawe and Sale.

Mike Kane is the MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East.