The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Prescott, Merseyside) (Emergency) Regulations 2025
This Statutory Instrument, titled the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Prescott, Merseyside) (Emergency) Regulations 2025, establishes an immediate, temporary ban on all unmanned aircraft flying below 1,000 feet above mean sea level within a one-nautical-mile radius centered on Prescott, Merseyside, due to an unspecified emergency deemed necessary by the Secretary of State for Transport.
Arguments For
Swift action to manage an unforeseen emergency situation in the Prescott, Merseyside area, prioritizing public safety over routine aviation operations.
Utilizing existing regulatory powers (Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016) allows for immediate, necessary regulatory response without protracted consultation.
The restriction is narrowly tailored, applying only to unmanned aircraft below 1,000 feet within a defined one-nautical-mile radius, minimizing disruption to standard air traffic.
Arguments Against
Immediate implementation and emergency nature may restrict legitimate drone usage, especially commercial or essential services operating below 1,000 feet in the affected zone, requiring swift adaptation by operators.
The duration is unspecified and contingent on the passing of the "emergency," potentially causing prolonged operational uncertainty for local businesses or individuals reliant on drone technology.
The directive gives ultimate authority for exemptions to the Merseyside Police, which, while logical for security, introduces a layer of enforcement discretion that operators must navigate.
S T A T U T O R Y I N S T R U M E N T S
2025 No. 1374
CIVIL AVIATION
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Prescott, Merseyside) (Emergency) Regulations 2025
Made ---
-at 12.45 p.m. on 31st December 2025
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 section identifies the regulation as a Statutory Instrument within UK law, numbered 2025 No. 1374, specifically concerning Civil Aviation.
The instrument is named The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Prescott, Merseyside) (Emergency) Regulations 2025.
The instrument was officially made at 12:45 p.m. on December 31, 2025, and commenced immediately upon being made.
The basis for these emergency restrictions is the Secretary of State's belief that an emergency affecting the public interest has occurred in the area detailed later in the Schedule.
The Secretary of State issues these rules using the authority granted by Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Prescott, Merseyside) (Emergency) Regulations 2025 and come into force with immediate effect.
Regulation 1 provides the official short title for these rules, which is used when referring to them in legal documents.
These Regulations became legally binding instantly upon their official making on December 31, 2025.
Restricted airspace
- No unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,000 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 unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with directions given by Merseyside Police.
Regulation 2 imposes the core restriction: unmanned aircraft must not fly at an altitude lower than 1,000 feet above the average height of the sea in a specific zone described in the accompanying Schedule.
This zone is defined geographically by a circle with a set radius and a central coordinate point.
Regulation 3 provides a specific exception to the prohibition.
Any unmanned aircraft operating under explicit instructions issued by the Merseyside Police are exempt from these flight restrictions.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
At 12.45 p.m. on 31st December 2025
Joseph Silverman Grade 7 Department for Transport
( a ) S.I. 2016/765, amended by S.I. 2024/990; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.
This section confirms the official signing of the instrument, done on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport at 12:45 p.m. on December 31, 2025, by Joseph Silverman from the Department for Transport.
A footnote clarifies the legal precedent cited, referencing the Air Navigation Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/765) and noting its amendment 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) | | Prescott, Merseyside | 1 nautical mile | 532552N 0024807W |
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.
Table 1 details the exact geographical area affected by the restriction.
The specified area is centered near Prescott, Merseyside, covers a radius of 1 nautical mile, and has coordinates listed as 53 degrees, 25 minutes, 52 seconds North latitude and 0 degrees, 24 minutes, 80 seconds West longitude.
The Explanatory Note clarifies that these rules are temporary, imposed specifically because of an emergency, and signifies the intention to cancel them once that emergency situation concludes.
SCHEDULE
Regulation 2
The Schedule heading formally introduces the location details referenced in Regulation 2, linking the flight restriction directly to the geographic boundaries defined in Table 1.
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