Essex County Council has said the use of drones for bridge inspections saves money, avoids road closures and improves repair programmes following a recent demonstration in Chelmsford.
Drones and related technology have recently been deployed by Essex Highway engineers to inspect critical structures, such as bridges and culverts, in “better, safer, and recordable ways”.
Councillor Lee Scott, Essex County Council cabinet member for highways maintenance and sustainable transport, attended a demonstration of the drones at a bridge crossing the River Wid.
Scott said: “Use of advanced drone technology in this way to help us inspect and maintain bridges much more efficiently is a huge benefit to road users in Essex. We have around 1,500 bridges and culverts across the county and if we have to close them, residents, businesses, local services, and other road users all suffer.
“The council is completely committed to bringing this and other innovations forward quickly to help us manage all our bridges and other structural assets to help us get the maximum value from highways budgets.
“Our strategic partnership with Ringway Jacobs continues to deliver major improvements just like this one, for everyone in Essex.”
