On 14 October 1959, the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation was renamed the Ministry of Transport.

The first secretary of state for the newly named ministry was Conservative Ernest Marples, who was followed by Thomas Fraser, Barbara Castle , Richard Marsh and Fred Mulley of Labour. In 1970, John Peyton of the Conservatives was secretary of state for a few months.

Responsibility for aviation and shipping was transferred to the Board of Trade in 1965. Throughout its life, the ministry retained responsibility for the railway and road networks.

On 15 October 1970, the Ministry of Transport was merged with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government and the Ministry of Works and renamed the Department for the Environment.