The Isle of Wight Council has killed plans to open up a drone corridor between the mainland and Mornington Car Park in Cowes.
As previously reported by Island Echo, commercial drones were all set to whizz across the Solent as part of a 6-month trial to deliver NHS supplies and food to the Isle of Wight.
The operation – a collaboration between Vodafone, Inteliports and the Isle of Wight Council – would have seen 8-prop drones flying on a ‘drone corridor’ between Marchwood and Cowes, up to 6 times a day, in a bid to demonstrate the impact drones can have on the Isle of Wight, improving the community’s access to goods and decarbonising Island logistics.
However, local residents kicked up a fuss about the use of Mornington Road car park, which was originally due to close between August and February to enable the Department for Transport-backed scheme to be realised.
Now, the Isle of Wight Council has confirmed that it will not be issuing a temporary licence for the use of the car park, putting a stop to the innovative plans.
Phil Jordan, Isle of Wight Council Leader and Cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, has said:
“We acknowledge the innovative potential of drone technology and the importance of skilled pilot schemes in ensuring safe and efficient operations.
“After careful consideration of the local community’s concerns and information on the pilot project, we will not be in a position to currently issue a temporary licence for use of the Mornington Road site. We understand the critical importance of selecting the right location to ensure the success of any trial and that such initiatives have support from the local community.
Article continues below this advertisement “We are committed to working collaboratively with Inteliports in the future. This trial by Inteliports will progress seeking locations to be identified in privately owned rural areas.
Two points:
I am sure the coast gruard and air ambulance choppers would have great fun trying to avoid these buzzing monstrosities.
It would be a great idea if IW Council used drones
to fly around the island catching speeding motorists.
It is a wonderful thought.
Praise be that the Luddites have won through. God forbid that we should improve the community’s access to goods and decarbonise Island logistics!
Should think so too. Supposing if one of those drones goes astray and some not very nice person finds it and sells the drugs on a street corner somewhere. There are plenty of ferries and hovercraft to bring them over.
And what about the children? Won’t anybody think about the children?
Good old Isle of Wight Council. Can always be relied upon to stifle innovation, it appears.
What absolute Luddites the Council are! Let’s hope that they, or their relatives, don’t need vital NHS supplies from the Mainland in an hurry.