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S T A T U T O R Y I N S T R U M E N T S
2026 No. 789
CIVIL AVIATION
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Bedford,
Bedfordshire) Regulations 2026
Made - - - - 7th July 2026
Coming into force - - 18th July 2026
The Secretary of State has decided that it is necessary in the public interest to restrict the flying of
unmanned aircraft in the area specified in regulation 3(1) by reason of the intending gathering
there of a large number of persons.
The Secretary of State makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by
article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016(a).
Citation and commencement
1. These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Bedford,
Bedfordshire) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 18th July 2026.
Interpretation
2. The times referred to in regulation 3(1) are Co-ordinated Universal Time(b).
Restricted airspace
3.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), during the period beginning with 0400 hours and ending with
2200 hours on each of the two days of 18th and 19th July 2026 no unmanned aircraft is to fly
below 1,200 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by the following points—
(a) 520841N 0002843W,
(b) 520841N 0002653W,
(c) 520830N 0002608W,
(d) 520800N 0002558W,
(e) 520730N 0002604W,
(f) 520720N 0002730W,
(g) 520725N 0002828W,
(h) 520741N 0002908W,
(i) 520808N 0002908W, and
(a) S.I. 2016/765, amended by S.I. 2024/990; there are other amending instruments but none is relevant.
(b) Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) is one hour behind British Summer Time (BST).(j) 520841N 0002843W.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with a
permission issued by the Bedford Borough Council Events Management Team.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
Karen L Michaels
Grade 7
7th July 2026 Department for Transport
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations impose restrictions on the flying of unmanned aircraft in the vicinity of
Bedford, Bedfordshire, where the gathering of a large number of persons is due to take place on
18th and 19th July 2026. The Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport agree
that it is necessary and in the public interest to restrict the flying of unmanned aircraft for reasons
of public safety and security.
The times mentioned in regulation 3(1) are Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) which is one hour
behind British Summer Time (BST).
In relation to the permission mentioned in regulation 3(2), the Bedford Borough Council Events
Management Team may be contacted as notified.
Full details of this these Regulations will be promulgated by Briefing Sheet and Notice to Aviation
(NOTAM).
The point of contact in the Civil Aviation Authority is Mr Thomas Shainberg, Airspace Regulator,
Safety and Airspace Regulation Group, on telephone number 03301 382515.
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