He or she will be the 15th different Secretary of State that I have known since starting to work in transport – 610 more and I will have enough for a complete Panini sticker album. For quite a few, the position has been one to hold either on the way up the political ladder (Darling, Alexander and Hammond) or on the way down the Government pecking order (Ruth Kelly anyone?). However, the revolving door at Great Minster House has been less busy in recent years with the last two incumbents lasting for almost seven years between them.

As an early supporter of Conservative leadership frontrunner Boris Johnson, it is not inconceivable that Chris Grayling will stay in post, but likely as not, there will be a change before anyone’s toes are dipped into the sea. But whoever that person is has a series of important decisions to make in their first few months in office, all set against the potential impact to the UK economy and its transport network of a no deal Brexit.

In no particular order, the Secretary of State’s in-tray will contain:

• A heavily-trailed review of HS2, against the background of press reports of ever-increasing costs
• The Comprehensive (or one year, depending on Brexit) Spending Review
• The report of the Williams Rail Review and the Rail White Paper that has been promised as a result of its recommendations
• The award of the new West Coast Partnership rail franchise, which will include the first trains running on the HS2 network
• Legal challenges pending on a number of other rail franchises
• Potential further delays and cost increases on Crossrail
• The second Roads Investment Strategy
• A revised programme for the first Roads Investment Strategy programme, which may see some schemes cancelled altogether
• The proposed National Infrastructure Strategy, responding to the National Infrastructure Commission’s initial assessment last July
• Ever more vocal deals for wider devolution of transport powers and funding away from Westminster.

This is a big test for anyone new in post, lined up against a shadow team that has been fairly constant in terms of personnel in recent years and is well briefed.

In short, it doesn’t seem like a job for a novice. Whoever Boris (or Jeremy) chooses, they will have a tough start, and the decisions that they make will have a significant impact on our industry for the next few years.

Whatever your own plans, I wish you a good summer, but it might be advisable to fasten your seat belts – it feels like it’s going to be a bumpy ride.