Highways engineers in Essex have trialled specialist survey drones to identify defects and structural hazards across hard-to-reach road infrastructure.
The trials took place along Dunstable Road and St Margaret’s Road in Thurrock, where steep embankments, dense vegetation, and confined spaces present safety risks during traditional physical inspections.
The surveys were conducted by specialist contractor ProDroneWorx, using drones equipped with high-resolution cameras and GPS technology to capture structural condition data and generate digital records.
Thurrock Council previously deployed drone technology to collect photographic evidence for planning enforcement investigations on inaccessible sites. Data gathered from the latest highway trials will be used to prioritise maintenance schedules, target structural repairs, and direct local infrastructure funding.
Richard Bingley, leader of Thurrock Council, said:
“Using new technology like this can help us inspect our highway infrastructure more safely, quickly and efficiently,”
“These surveys give our engineers detailed information without needing staff to enter difficult or hazardous locations, helping us identify issues earlier and make better decisions about maintenance and repairs.
“It is a good example of how we can use innovation to improve the way we look after important infrastructure across Thurrock.”
The highway trials reflect a wider push across UK local authorities to adopt remote sensing and aerial surveys for civil engineering maintenance. Public sector procurement frameworks for digital survey mapping confirm that regional councils across East Anglia are expanding drone usage for asset management and environmental monitoring.
Image source: Pixabay
