The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Middlesborough) (No. 2) Regulations 2026
Restricted unmanned aircraft flight in specific Middlesbrough zones for public safety on 7 September 2026.
These Regulations prohibit the operation of unmanned aircraft below 1,200 feet above mean sea level in two specific areas of Middlesbrough on 7 September 2026.
The restrictions apply to all drone operators between 06:00 and 20:00 UTC, except those with express permission from the Cleveland Police Drone Unit.
The Secretary of State for Transport issued these directions under the Air Navigation Order 2016 to ensure public safety and security within circles of 1.08 nautical miles centered on specified geographic coordinates.
Arguments For
The Secretary of State asserts that these restrictions are necessary in the public interest for reasons of public safety and security.
The document states that the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport agree that the measures are required to protect the specified areas during the designated period.
The regulations provide a mechanism for authorized flight by allowing the Cleveland Police Drone Unit to grant specific permissions.
Arguments Against
Operators of unmanned aircraft may face disruption to planned commercial or recreational activities within the 1.08 nautical mile radii of the two specified coordinates.
The use of Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) in the regulations may lead to confusion for operators who primarily use British Summer Time (BST), which is one hour ahead.
The document does not specify the exact nature of the public event or security concern necessitating the restriction, which may limit the ability of affected parties to assess the proportionality of the measure.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Middlesborough) (No. 2) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 7th September 2026.
This section establishes the official name of the statutory instrument.
It sets the date the regulations become legally enforceable as 7 September 2026.
Interpretation
- The times referred to in regulations 3(1) and (2) 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 hours mentioned are in Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC), noting that this is one hour behind the local British Summer Time.
Restricted airspace
- -(1) Subject to paragraph (3), during the period beginning with 0600 hours and ending with 2000 hours on 7th September 2026 no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,200 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 1.08 nautical miles which is centred at 543212N 0011432W.
(2) Subject to paragraph (3), during the period beginning with 0600 hours and ending with 2000 hours on 7th September 2026 no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,200 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by a circle having a radius of 1.08 nautical miles which is centred at 543338N 0011116W.
(3) Paragraphs (1) and (2) do not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with the permission of the Cleveland Police Drone Unit.
This section prohibits the flight of unmanned aircraft, such as drones, below 1,200 feet in two distinct circular zones in Middlesbrough.
Each zone has a radius of 1.08 nautical miles, and the ban is active from 06:00 to 20:00 UTC on 7 September 2026.
An exemption is provided for aircraft that have obtained prior permission from the Cleveland Police Drone Unit.
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