The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Bristol) (Emergency) (No. 2) Regulations 2026
The Secretary of State imposed immediate, temporary emergency restrictions prohibiting low-altitude flight below 1,500 feet over the M5 Avon Bridge area near Bristol, effective immediately via Statutory Instrument.
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Bristol) (Emergency) (No. 2) Regulations 2026, made using powers from the Air Navigation Order 2016, immediately prohibit aircraft from flying below 1,500 feet above mean sea level over a restricted area around the M5 Avon Bridge in Bristol, specifying a radius of 1.0 nautical mile; flights operating under directions from Avon and Somerset Police are explicitly exempted from this temporary, emergency measure.
Arguments For
Ensuring public safety and operational security by prohibiting low-altitude drone or aircraft activity near a specific incident or site, necessitated by an emergency.
Allowing emergency services or designated authorities, such as Avon and Somerset Police, unimpeded access and operations within the restricted zone without interference from unauthorized air traffic.
Implementing a rapid, legally enforceable measure that can be brought into effect instantly due to the presence of an unstated emergency affecting the public interest, using established powers under the Air Navigation Order 2016.
Arguments Against
Potential disruption to legitimate low-altitude air operations, such as essential maintenance or pre-approved flights for local activities, even if temporary.
The broad justification of an "emergency" without further public definition can raise concerns about transparency regarding the exact nature and severity of the incident requiring intervention.
Imposing temporary restrictions on airspace may cause minor logistical issues or delays for businesses or individuals relying on airspace near the M5 Avon Bridge area.
S T A T U T O R Y I N S T R U M E N T S
2026 No. 634
CIVIL AVIATION
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Bristol) (Emergency) (No. 2) Regulations 2026
Made ----at 9.25 p.m. on 14th June 2026
Coming into force with immediate effect
The Secretary of State for a reason affecting the public interest deems it necessary to restrict flying in the area specified in the Schedule by reason of an emergency having arisen in that area.
The Secretary of State makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016( a ).
This statutory instrument, titled The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Bristol) (Emergency) (No. 2) Regulations 2026, was officially made at 9:25 p.m. on June 14, 2026, and became effective immediately upon creation.
Regulations prevent flying in a specific area near Bristol because an emergency, affecting the public interest, has occurred there.
Authority to issue these restrictions comes from Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Bristol) (Emergency) (No. 2) Regulations 2026 and come into force with immediate effect.
This regulation establishes the formal title of these rules, which is the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Bristol) (Emergency) (No. 2) Regulations 2026.
It confirms that the regulations begin operating immediately upon the moment they are enacted.
Restricted airspace
- No aircraft is to fly below 1,500 feet above mean sea level over the area specified in Column 1 of the Schedule, being an area bounded by a circle of the radius specified in Column 2 and centred on the position specified in Column 3.
- These Regulations do not apply to any aircraft flying in accordance with directions given by Avon and Somerset Police.
Regulation 2 forbids aircraft from flying at an altitude lower than 1,500 feet above the average sea level within the geographical zone detailed in the Schedule.
This restricted zone is defined by a circle with a specific radius around a specified central point, as laid out in the columns of the Schedule.
Regulation 3 makes an exception, meaning any aircraft following instructions issued specifically by the Avon and Somerset Police are exempt from these flying restrictions.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
At 9.25 p.m. on 14th June 2026
Georgina Covill Senior Executive Officer Department for Transport
( a ) S.I. 2016/765, amended by S.I. 2024/990; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.
The document is formally endorsed by Georgina Covill, a Senior Executive Officer in the Department for Transport, acting under the authority of the Secretary of State for Transport.
This signing confirms the regulations were enacted at 9:25 p.m. on the specified date.
The footnote references the primary legislation, the Air Navigation Order 2016, noting it has previously been amended by a 2024 instrument.
Table 1
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | |-------------------------|-------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | Specified area | Radius of circle | Position of centre of circle (latitude and longitude) | | M5 Avon Bridge, Bristol | 1.0 nautical mile | 512921N 0024134W |
Table 1 provides the specific geographical details for the imposed no-fly zone.
The specified area subject to restrictions is located around the M5 Avon Bridge in Bristol.
The restricted area is defined as a circle with a radius of 1.0 nautical mile, centered precisely at latitude 51°29'21" North and longitude 0°24'13.4" West.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations impose restrictions of an emergency nature on flying in the area specified in the Schedule. They are intended to be of temporary duration and will be revoked as soon as the emergency in question has passed.
The Explanatory Note clarifies that the regulations establish temporary flight restrictions due to an emergency in the scheduled area.
This note explicitly states that it is for guidance only and does not legally form part of the Regulations themselves.
The restrictions are designed to last only until the underlying emergency situation has concluded, at which point the rules will be repealed.
SCHEDULE
Regulation 2
The Schedule section provides the precise legal location to which Regulation 2 applies.
This area is the one where aircraft must not fly below 1,500 feet above mean sea level.
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