Daily update, 20 October: Network Rail trials drones for severe weather, and a drone service at Great Ormond Street

Network Rail explores drones for weather incidents on the East Coast Main Line

Network Rail says it "is exploring how drones could help teams respond more quickly and safely to flooding, storms and other weather-related incidents on the East Coast Main Line." Its release, published on 19 October, says "Drone flight exercises near Doncaster are demonstrating how aerial imagery can give engineers an early view of railway infrastructure and help identify areas in need of closer inspection."

It describes the exercises as part of "Network Rail East Coast’s evaluation of the technology and its potential uses." According to the release, the technology "can provide aerial views following storms and high winds, monitor water levels during flooding and inform decisions about whether train services can operate."

Network Rail says it is already using drones elsewhere: "Across a wider range of incidents, including flooding, trespass and lineside fires, the East Midlands route reported savings of approximately £100,000 between September 2025 and March 2026."

John Grainger, joint head of performance at Network Rail East Coast & LNER, is quoted saying: "Drone tests have shown that they can support and complement our expert engineers and more traditional inspection methods, providing an extra pair of eyes during challenging times."

Matternet and Apian report a routine drone service at Great Ormond Street Hospital

Matternet announced today that, "In partnership with Apian, a British startup that has pioneered autonomous logistics with the NHS, the Company commenced drone delivery operations at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust (GOSH)." The company says its drones "transport time-sensitive pediatric pathology samples for GOSH, reducing urgent delivery times by up to 90%."

The release says the service "will initially connect GOSH with nearby laboratories operated by The Doctors Laboratory (TDL), with plans to expand across the network to additional sites."

Apian's page for the service says: "The Civil Aviation Authority has provided approval for an initial six month period. Validation flights began in July 2026." It adds that "Following sign off by GOSH clinical and scientific leads, a routine service is now operational." The page names the aircraft as the Matternet M2 and says: "We fly Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm."

Dr Kimberly Gilmour, Chief of Laboratory Medicine at GOSH, is quoted in the release: "When samples reach the laboratory in minutes, we can begin testing sooner and get results back to the teams caring for these children."

Earlier today

This morning we covered the drone restriction around Aberfan, Merthyr Tydfil for the 60th anniversary event on 21 October. The full piece is on our news page.