SI 2026/868 - The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Colchester, Essex) Regulations 2026

S T A T U T O R Y I N S T R U M E N T S 2026 No. 868 CIVIL AVIATION The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Colchester, Essex) Regulations 2026 Made - - - - 22nd July 2026 Coming into force - - 31st 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) (Colchester, Essex) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 31st 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 0500 hours and ending with 1700 hours on 31st July 2026 no unmanned aircraft is to fly below 1,200 feet above mean sea level within the area bounded by— (a) the clockwise arc of a circle having a radius of 0.81 of a nautical mile centred at 515302.00N 0005355E.00 between 515333.36N 0005255.14E and 515345.79N 0005428.86E, (b) the clockwise arc of a circle having a radius of 0.81 of a nautical mile centred at 515259.00N 0005408.00E between 515345.79N 0005428.86E and 515216.90N 0005447.01E, (c) the clockwise arc of a circle having a radius of 0.81 of a nautical mile centred at 515222.00N 0005329.00E between 515216.90N 0005447.01E and 515233.35N 0005212.81E, 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).(d) the clockwise arc of a circle having a radius of 0.81 of a nautical mile centred at 515249.00N 0005327.00E between 515233.35N 0005212.81E and 515333.36N 0005255.14E. (2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any unmanned aircraft flying in accordance with a permission issued by the Essex Police Counter-UAS Bronze Commander. Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport Karen L Michaels Grade 7 22nd 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 Colchester, Essex, where the gathering of a large number of persons is due to take place. The Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport agree that it is necessary in the public interest to restrict the flying of unmanned aircraft in that area 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 Essex Police Counter-UAS Bronze Commander may be contacted as notified. Full details of 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. 2