Drone technology helps National Grid plan responsibly along proposed Norwich to Tilbury route

National Grid will shortly begin a series of drone flights along the proposed Norwich to Tilbury route to help improve understanding of the landscape and environmental conditions along the corridor, using advanced technology that reduces the need for on-the-ground surveys.

The drone surveys, carried out by Stirling X, a Norwich-based company with fully certified pilots under enhanced permissions from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will record video footage of the route from heights of around 100 metres (approximately 330 feet). The footage will give project teams a clear, up-to-date view of the landscape and environmental features along the corridor, helping to identify opportunities to reduce impacts on people, wildlife and habitats.

The drones will capture only footage directly relevant to the route and surrounding landscape. They are not equipped or intended to record any personal or property-specific information, and no identifiable individuals will appear in the video. This ensures the survey remains entirely focused on environmental and engineering data needed to inform the project’s planning and design.

Because of the permissions granted by the CAA, the drones can cover long distances while maintaining high safety standards and minimal disturbance. Flights will take place in sections of around 5–10 kilometres, with each drone passing over an area just once. The drones will not fly directly over residential properties and will generally operate at a height that makes them barely noticeable from the ground.

Each flight will be managed by a qualified pilot, with trained observers stationed at intervals along the route to monitor the drone’s progress. Operators will work primarily from public rights of way and other accessible areas for take-off and landing, minimising any impact on local communities and landowners.

The surveys are being coordinated with local airfields, including Wattisham, to ensure safe operations. The drones produce only a low level of noise, comparable to an electric lawnmower during take-off and landing and will be quieter once at operational height.

James Magson, Senior Project Surveyor at National Grid said: Our drone surveys are a safe, non-intrusive and efficient way to understand the landscape along the Norwich to Tilbury route. They only record information needed for environmental and technical assessments, not personal or private data. By using this technology, we can reduce the need for teams to walk the entire route on foot, which helps to minimise disruption for local communities, landowners and the environment. This is about working smarter and using innovation to deliver essential energy infrastructure in the most responsible way possible.

The video surveys will begin near Norwich and work southwards, taking several days to complete the first phase. The footage will be used by National Grid’s environmental and engineering teams to support planning and design work for the Norwich to Tilbury project, part of The Great Grid Upgrade.

The Development Consent Order (DCO) application for Norwich to Tilbury has been accepted for examination by the Planning Inspectorate, on behalf of the Secretary of State. Our application documents are available to view on the Planning Inspectorate’s website. 

Anyone who is interested in taking part in the examination can register via the Planning Inspectorate’s website and will have the opportunity to make either a verbal or written representations about the Project. The Planning Inspectorate will publish information when registration opens on their website.