The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Carr Gate) (Restricted Area EGR3U053) Regulations 2026
These 2026 Regulations establish a prohibition on operating unmanned aircraft below 1,400 feet above mean sea level within a defined circular area centered at 534238N 0013222W, near the National Police Air Service base at Carr Gate, due to necessary security and public safety considerations; the rules exempt aircraft operated by or on behalf of the National Police Air Service or those flying with their explicit permission, and these rules simultaneously revoke the previous 2025 restriction order for the area.
Arguments For
The restrictions enhance security and public safety by creating a protected airspace around the National Police Air Service base at Carr Gate.
Limiting unmanned aircraft (drones) below 1,400 feet prevents potential interference with or compromise of sensitive police air operations.
The regulations provide a clear legal framework enforceable under the Air Navigation Order 2016, ensuring consistent management of sensitive airspace.
Revoking the previous 2025 regulations streamlines the legal framework by updating the specific restricted zone designation (EGR3U053 replaces EGR353).
Arguments Against
The restrictions impose limitations on the general public's ability to fly unmanned aircraft in the specified geographical area, potentially impacting hobbyists or commercial operators.
The regulations may create confusion by replacing an existing restriction (S.I. 2025/167), requiring operators to remain constantly updated on the latest airspace designations.
The restriction involves a blanket ban below 1,400 feet, which might be considered overly broad if the security risk is localized to a lower altitude.
Operators must actively seek permission from the National Police Air Service for any necessary flights, adding an administrative step to legitimate operations.
2026 No. 503
CIVIL AVIATION
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Carr Gate) (Restricted Area EGR3U053) Regulations 2026
Made
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12th May 2026
Coming into force
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14th May 2026
This denotes the legal instrument as Statutory Instrument 2026 No. 503, categorized under Civil Aviation.
The Secretary of State made these Regulations on May 12, 2026, and they officially came into legal effect on May 14, 2026.
The Secretary of State has decided that it is necessary in the public interest to restrict the flying of unmanned aircraft in the area specified in regulation 2(1) by reason of the security and public safety considerations associated with the location there of the National Police Air Service.
The responsible government minister, the Secretary of State, determined that restricting unmanned aircraft flights in the area detailed later is required for the public good.
This decision stems from security and public safety concerns linked to the presence of the National Police Air Service operating base at that specific location.
The Secretary of State makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016( a ).
The Secretary of State issues these rules using the legal authority granted under Article 239 of the overarching Air Navigation Order 2016.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Carr Gate) (Restricted Area EGR3U053) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 14th May 2026.
This section establishes the formal title for these specific regulations, which references the location (Carr Gate) and the new restricted area identifier (EGR3U053).
It confirms the commencement date as May 14, 2026.
Restricted airspace
- -(1) Subject to paragraph (2), no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,400 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 0.5 of a nautical mile centred at 534238N 0013222W.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft-
- (a) operated by or on behalf of the National Police Air Service, or
- (b) flying in accordance with a permission issued by the National Police Air Service.
The main operational rule prohibits unmanned aircraft from flying below 1,400 feet above sea level inside a half-nautical-mile radius circle centered at specific geographical coordinates (53 degrees 42.38 minutes North latitude and 001 degree 32.22 minutes West longitude).
This restriction, however, does not apply if the drone is being used by the National Police Air Service itself or if the operator has received explicit permission from them.
Revocation of Regulations
- The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Carr Gate) (Restricted Zone E GR353) Regulations 2025( b ) are revoked.
These new rules officially cancel or repeal the previous regulations governing a restricted zone at Carr Gate, specifically the instrument identified as S.I. 2025/167 which used the designation EGR353.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
12th May 2026
Karen L Michaels Grade 7 Department for Transport
This indicates the formal signing of the document by an authorized official, Karen L Michaels, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport, dated May 12, 2026.
( a ) S.I. 2016/765, amended by S.I. 2024/990; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.
( b ) S.I. 2025/167.
These are footnotes referencing the legal instruments cited earlier in the text: (a) refers to the primary Air Navigation Order 2016 and its 2024 amendment, and (b) refers to the specific 2025 regulations being revoked.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations impose restrictions on the flying of unmanned aircraft in the vicinity of the National Police Air Service base at Carr Gate.
The Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport agree that the flying of unmanned aircraft should be restricted in the vicinity of that location for reasons of security and public safety.
In relation to the permission mentioned in regulation 2(2)(b), the National Police Air Service may be contacted as notified.
Full details of this statutory instrument will be included in the United Kingdom Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP). The restricted area has been designated as EGR3U053 for the purpose of inclusion in the AIP and in related charts and documents.
The point of contact in the Civil Aviation Authority is Mr David Ridley, Airspace Regulator, Safety and Airspace Regulation Group, on telephone number 03301 382471.
The official explanatory note clarifies that the primary purpose is restricting unmanned aircraft near the police air base in Carr Gate, an action agreed upon by the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport due to security needs.
It notes that contact details for obtaining permission (referenced in Regulation 2(2)(b)) are publicly available through the National Police Air Service. Furthermore, the precise details of this restricted zone, designated EGR3U053, will be published in the UK’s Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP), and it provides the contact details for the Civil Aviation Authority if needed.
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