Restricted the flight of unmanned aircraft in two areas of Middlesbrough on 9 September 2026.
These Regulations prohibit the flight of unmanned aircraft below 1,200 feet above mean sea level in two specific areas of Middlesbrough on 9 September 2026.
The restrictions apply between 06:00 and 20:00 UTC and affect all unmanned aircraft, unless the Cleveland Police Drone Unit grants express permission for a flight.
The Secretary of State issued these directions under the Air Navigation Order 2016 to protect public safety and security.
Arguments For
The Secretary of State asserts that the 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 public safety and security.
The Regulations provide a mechanism for authorized flight, allowing the Cleveland Police Drone Unit to grant specific permissions.
Arguments Against
Operators of unmanned aircraft may cite the lack of specific detail within the document regarding the nature of the event or security threat justifying the restriction.
Commercial drone operators or hobbyists may be inconvenienced by the prohibition of flight within the 1.08 nautical mile radii during the specified 14-hour window.
The use of Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) rather than British Summer Time (BST) in the legal text may lead to confusion for operators not familiar with aviation time standards.
Citation and commencement
- These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Middlesborough) (No. 4) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 9th September 2026.
This section establishes the official name of the regulations and sets the date they become legally active. The rules take effect on 9 September 2026.
Interpretation
- The times referred to in regulation 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 clarifies the time standard used throughout the document.
It specifies that all listed times refer to Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC), noting that this is one hour behind local British Summer Time.
Restricted airspace
- -(1) Subject to paragraph (3), during the period beginning with 0600 hours and ending with 2000 hours on 9th 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 9th 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 544106N 0011313W.
(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 defines two specific circular zones where unmanned aircraft, such as drones, are prohibited from flying below 1,200 feet.
The restriction is active from 06:00 to 20:00 UTC on 9 September 2026.
Flights are permitted only if they have received prior authorization from the Cleveland Police Drone Unit.
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