The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Middlesborough) (No. 5) Regulations 2026
Restricted the flight of unmanned aircraft in a specific area of Middlesbrough on 10 September 2026 for public safety.
These Regulations prohibit the operation of unmanned aircraft below 1,400 feet above mean sea level within a specified circular area in Middlesbrough on 10 September 2026.
The restriction applies to all unmanned aircraft between 0600 and 2000 hours Co-ordinated Universal Time, unless the operator has obtained prior permission from the Cleveland Police Drone Unit.
The Department for Transport issued this mandate under the Air Navigation Order 2016 to ensure public safety and security in the specified vicinity.
Arguments For
The Secretary of State asserts that these restrictions are necessary in the public interest.
The explanatory note states that the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport agree the measures are required for reasons of public safety and security.
The document establishes a specific mechanism for authorized flight via permission from the Cleveland Police Drone Unit.
Arguments Against
Operators of unmanned aircraft may face restricted access to airspace for commercial, recreational, or journalistic purposes within the designated zone.
The legal effect is temporary but absolute for those without police permission, which may impact planned aerial activities on the specified date.
The document does not specify the exact nature of the public interest event, which could lead to questions regarding the proportionality of the exclusion zone.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Middlesborough) (No. 5) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 10th September 2026.
This section establishes the official name of the regulations and sets the date they become legally active. The rules take effect on 10 September 2026.
Interpretation
- The times referred to in regulation 3(1) are Co-ordinated Universal Time( b ).
( b ) Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).
This section defines the time standard used for the restrictions.
It specifies that all timings follow Co-ordinated Universal Time, noting that this is one hour behind British Summer Time.
Restricted airspace
- -(1) Subject to paragraph (2), during the period beginning with 0600 hours and ending with 2000 hours on 10th September 2026 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 1.08 nautical miles which is centred at 543511N 0010431W.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with the permission of the Cleveland Police Drone Unit.
This section creates a temporary no-fly zone for drones and other unmanned aircraft within a 1.08 nautical mile radius of the specified coordinates in Middlesbrough.
The prohibition applies to any altitude below 1,400 feet above mean sea level during the designated fourteen-hour window.
It permits an exception for flights that have received express authorization from the Cleveland Police Drone Unit.
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