MAKERFIELD MP Yvonne Fovargue has been promoted in a mini-reshuffle of the shadow frontbench.

She joined the Labour Front Bench in October 2011 as a member of the Opposition Whips and following an announcement by Labour Leader Ed Milliband she will join the Transport Team as Shadow Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport.

She accepted the offer after speaking to Ed Miliband on the telephone earlier this week.

Her portfolio will include: buses, taxis, light rail and tram, traffic management, regional and local transport, natural environment – including biofuels,sustainable travel – Walking and Cycling, accessibility and equalities and alternatives to travel.

She said: “Anybody who lives and works in our Borough will know that making the right decisions on transport is a key issue not just in helping people get out and about, but also in promoting economic competitiveness. This holds true in towns and cities across the nation.

“My priority is and will always remain to put Makerfield first and I will give my all in the fight to secure prosperity for our area in Parliament. We are still in a very difficult economic climate with many in our community suffering as a result of this Tory Government’s failed policies and my focus on these issues will continue.”