The Financial Times and Government Computing have reported that the Government is considering allowing drones to deliver goods to cut delivery times ‘in rural or isolated towns’ and reduce carbon emissions

This could form part of a wider plan to ensure remote parts of the country are not ‘left behind’ by advances in transport technology.

The reports suggest that other plans include using electric aircrafts to fly passengers short distances, introducing electric cargo bikes into rural transport systems, linking different transport services into a single app, and making walking and cycling maps available online.

This comes after large drones were used to transport medical supplies to the Isle of Wight during the first months of the pandemic.

The Government now wants to explore the potential for delivery companies to use them in other parts of the country to deliver emergency medicines to hard-to-reach locations.

Full articles:

The Financial Times - Drone deliveries to rural areas on UK government’s radar

Government Computing - UK seeks views on digital innovation in boosting rural transport