The Government has confirmed that it is to fast track the launch of a new trial using drones to transport medical supplies between the mainland and the Isle of Wight.
Back in January, Island Echo reported that drones could in the future be used to transport chemotherapy kits, blood and organs between St Mary’s Hospital and hospitals on the mainland. The news was welcomed by Bob Seely MP in March.
At the time of publishing, Solent Transport were bidding for funding from the Government as part of the Future Mobility Zones fund. Funding of £28million has since been awarded to Southampton and Portsmouth councils to carry out drone trials of this kind, meaning the Solent region is set to host the first trials of unmanned aerial vehicle flights in the UK that go beyond line-of-sight.
Now, the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has committed to fast tracking the trials of drones to and from the Isle of Wight, helping to ensure the Island is equipped to tackle the virus.
Bob said:
“I’m delighted this scheme has been fast-tracked by the Government. It follows many talks I’ve had with Government Ministers about pilot schemes that could benefit the Isle of Wight.
“I’m glad the Island can be part of this pioneering approach using new technology to improve quality of life and, potentially saves lives. The use of drones is just one element of this.”
Alongside the drone trials, the Transport Secretary has today announced a £10.5million emergency package to safeguard transport links to and from the Isle of Wight and the Isles of Scilly, as previously reported by Island Echo.
What an amazingly daft idea. Let’s see what happens when there is bad weather. Drones are great in fine still weather, but with high winds and heavy rain, it is not going to work….. never mind I expect some NHS managers kids can have fun with the drones when it can’t be used to go across the solent.
Perhaps just use them in good weather then?
getting paid millions just to test some drones…I will test them for a million less lol.. no accounting for awarding contracts..
What a waste of money. Haven’t they heard os fast launches?
Atttaching the kits to the legs of seagulls would probably be more reliable.
That’s a mid air collision with GA waiting to happen .
How much!? If they want to buy me a boat and pay a decent wage. I will happily transport it across the solent. Im not gonna fall out of the sky when its windy or raining plus best of all i come with a smile Someone could do that for years and still not cost as much as a drone going back and forth. It will no doubt need its batteries changing every year or so. or better yet in 5 years be scrapped entirely for an upgrade. If you see this and want a cv
Well I hope they wouldn’t be falling out of the sky if there are things like drugs on board. they could pollute the waterways or kids could find them . It doesn’t bear thinking about.
Bob you are a plonker! Try responding to questions from residents sent to that big black hole called your email
I can’t believe they are thinking of this.. 28 million?? We already have a hovercraft and other transport links to the island, why spend that amount of money on something soooo ridiculous. Why not invest in people and equipment so that we can make and supply certain medication on the island?? This is just the start, saying it’s for medication, then it will be used for surveillance and who knows what else.. whose got a finger in that pie????
What a complete waste of tax payers Money
To get supplies from Southampton Hospital to Lee on Solent will need road transport of some 18 miles taking 36-41 mins. Once landed on the Isle of Wight it is a 6 mile road journey from Binstead to Newport hospital taking some 15-17 mins so total journey time of over 1 hour
There are a number of high speed charter RIBs (boats) currently sitting idle that could do the trip from Central Southampton to the Isle of Wight in under 30 minutes and at a fraction of the cost of the £28million pounds of tax payers money being waste here!
Each RIB could easily carry 1,800kg (18 times what a drone can carry)
These RIBs can be Chartered for circa £750 per day including fuel and skipper
Below is just one of the many Companies that could supply this service
http://www.RebelMarine.co.uk