RESIDENTS CALL DRONE DELIVERY SITE 'INAPPROPRIATE'

Islanders have labelled the site of a new drone delivery trial as "inappropriate"

Drones delivering goods are set to fly up to six flights a day to and from Mornington Road carpark, on the Isle of Wight.

The trial, approved by the Isle of Wight council and carried out by Inteliports, begins on 7 August and ends on 7 February.

Mornington Road carpark will be closed during the scheme and Inteliports said it "surveyed several sites across the island" but the car park was the most feasible option.

Isle of Wight resident Dee Oswald said: "It's a recreational area and a car park that is used all year round by residents and visitors."

She added that the next closest car park is "almost two miles away".

Ms Oswald criticised the lack of consultation offered by the council.

She said: "We were not invited to their first meeting in April.

"We only heard about this happening on the 17 July."

In response the council said "due to limitations of space" it was "unable to facilitate residents at the initial consultation" but it added "ongoing consultation is active and monitored via email".

The project aims to look at "decarbonising island logistics" the local authority said.

Maggie Ankers, who lives on the Isle of Wight said: "I would have said 100 parcels coming in a large van on a ferry is already eco-friendly.

"Rather than having a drone dropping one at a time."

The trial will be funded by the Department for Transport and Connected Places Catapult.

Drone flights will only take place during the day and Inteliports are under strict Civil Aviation Authority regulations to ensure compliance and safety of all flights, the council has said.

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RESIDENTS CALL DRONE DELIVERY SITE 'INAPPROPRIATE'

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