Transport secretary Grant Shapps has announced a wide ranging coronavirus support package and action plan for transport, including the use of drones to deliver vital medical supplies.
Mr Shapps said he was fast tracking the launch of a new trial using drones between the mainland and St Mary’s Hospital on the Isle of Wight.
This follows a £28m award earlier this year to Southampton and Portsmouth councils to carry out drone trials of this kind as part of a wider future transport zone trial.
The transport secretary also announced a multimillion government support package for essential freight services.
This includes:
- up to £17m for critical routes between Northern Ireland and Great Britain
- up to £10.5m for lifeline ferry and freight services to the Isle of Wight and the Scilly Isles
- further support for critical routes between Britain and the European mainland
The funding will ensure the ongoing supply of critical goods into the country during the COVID-19 pandemic, with up to 31 routes eligible for support, subject to discussions with operators.
A trilateral agreement was also signed between the UK, Ireland and France to keep frieght moving throughout the crisis.
The freight and passenger support package covers seven routes between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, routes to the Isle of Wight, the Penzance-Scilly ferry and 26 routes between Britain, France, Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Norway and Sweden, including Eurotunnel
There was also a pledge to provide financial support for the light rail systems in Sheffield, Manchester, West Midlands, Nottingham, and Tyne and Wear.
The DfT is working with local authorities to identify what support is needed to allow essential services to continue.
Mr Shapps also acknowledged the strain city transport systems were under and said he had spoken to metro mayors, including Manchester's Andy Burnham, about a financial bailout.
Transport Support Unit
The DfT launched a new Transport Support Unit (TSU) to assist frontline responders during the crisis across the whole of the UK, assisting with deliveries of medical supplies, PPE and food to vulnerable households.
It called on its transport agencies and the wider transport sector to develop logistical support, with more than 8,500 staff available to volunteer to help in the crisis.
Highways England has released control vehicles for potential use as mobile COVID-19 testing centres and Network Rail, with the 8th largest commercial vehicle fleet in the country, has also dedicated 8,500 vans and lorries, which can be used to transport essential items during the crisis.
And the rail operator is also making available its seven regional distribution centres which can be used for COVID-19 related supplies.
The DfT has set up a dedicated email inbox so that organisations requiring this type of assistance can contact the TSU directly.
Mr Shapps said:'Today’s action will help ensure all parts of the UK have the capacity they need and, following on from our action to support the rail and bus sectors, it shows how this government is acting to protect the transport links the country relies on.
'Now more than ever we need to work closely together, and the new Transport Support Unit stands ready to help our frontline staff and deliver crucial supplies.
‘I want to pay particular tribute to the transport critical workers who have gone above and beyond to keep vital freight and passenger services running. Each and everyone of us depends on the transport lifeline that they provide. They are part of an army of critical workers.'
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