Drones On Call in Swindon

Swindon council to use drones and robots to carry out a condition survey of one of its Grade II* listed buildings - the Mechanic’s Institute.

13:57 10 November 2019

Swindon Borough Council has teamed up with Historic England and the Mechanics’ Institution Trust to restore the Grade II* listed building in a bid to breathe new life into the Railway Village. 

 

 

 

Cabinet member for the town centre Dale Heenan said: “The Mechanics’ is in a derelict state, and our commitment is to make real progress towards restoration within five years. I am serious about making it happen, but it is a 30-year problem no-one has solved, and no-one should forget just how difficult it will be.

 

 

 

“Working with Historic England and the Mechanics’ Institution Trust is vital. We have a plan, we are making progress and this condition survey is a significant step forward.

 

 

 

“Drone technology will allow us to get a really good look at what we are dealing with and the professionals will use the high definition video and scans to estimate the likely cost of restoration and provide a permanent, reviewable record of the state of the building today.”

 

 

 

Rebecca Barrett, regional director for Historic England in the south west, said: “At this stage we need to find out how safe the Mechanics’ Institute is, and to understand more about its physical condition.

 

 

 

“As the building is currently out of bounds, drone technology allows us to get the information we need quickly and safely.