The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Birkdale, Merseyside) Regulations 2026

Published: Mon 22nd Jun 26

These Regulations prohibit the flight of unmanned aircraft below 1,100 feet above mean sea level in a defined area of Birkdale, Merseyside, between 11th July and 21st July 2026.

The restrictions apply daily from 0500 to 2100 Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) to protect the public during a scheduled large gathering.

The mandate applies to all unmanned aircraft operators, except those granted specific permission by the Merseyside Police Counter-UAS Team.

Arguments For

The Secretary of State asserts that restrictions are necessary in the public interest due to an intended gathering of a large number of persons in the specified area.
The Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport state that the measures are required for reasons of public safety and security.
The document specifies a mechanism for authorized flight, allowing the Merseyside Police Counter-UAS Team to issue permissions for unmanned aircraft to operate within the restricted zone.

Arguments Against

Recreational and commercial drone operators may cite the eleven-day duration and specific altitude restrictions as a limitation on the use of local airspace.
Organizations focusing on surveillance oversight might seek clarification on the criteria used by the Merseyside Police Counter-UAS Team when granting or denying flight permissions.
Legal analysts may note that the document does not specify the exact nature of the 'large gathering,' potentially making it difficult for the public to assess the proportionality of the restriction.

Citation and commencement

These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Birkdale, Merseyside) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 11th July 2026.

This section establishes the official title of the statutory instrument.

It sets the date on which the legal provisions become active as 11th July 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 provision clarifies the time standard used throughout the document.

It specifies that Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) applies, noting that this is one hour behind British Summer Time.

Restricted airspace

-(1) Subject to paragraph (2), during the period beginning with 0500 hours and ending with 2100 hours on each of the eleven days beginning with 11th and ending with 21st July 2026 no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,100 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by the following points-

(a) 533837N, 0030237W,
(b) 533807N, 0030121W,
(c) 533730N, 0025959W,
(d) 533653N, 0030028W,
(e) 533556N, 0030156W,
(f) 533639N, 0030416W, and
(g) 533837N, 0030237W.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with a permission issued by the Merseyside Police Counter-UAS Team.

This section prohibits unmanned aircraft from flying below 1,100 feet within specific geographic coordinates in Birkdale during designated hours from 11th July to 21st July 2026.

It defines the exact boundaries of the restricted airspace using longitudinal and latitudinal coordinates.

It also provides an exemption for aircraft that have received explicit authorization from the Merseyside Police Counter-UAS Team.

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