About this bus lane
This is a tidal pair, and the two directions do not run at the same times.
This road has 2 separate bus lane stretches. Each has its own hours — check the sign at the start of the stretch you are in.
| Direction | Operating times | Who may use it |
|---|---|---|
| North-east bound | 7am to 10am, Monday to Saturday | morning peak only |
| South-west bound | 4pm to 7pm, Monday to Saturday | evening peak only |
So the side of the road you can drive in changes with the time of day, and a lane that is free in the morning may not be in the afternoon. Both cameras are new — Barnet records enforcement as beginning on 8 June 2026 — which is why they issued no penalty charge notices at all in the council's five years of data to March 2026.
Besides buses, black cabs and pedal cycles may use them. Motorcycles may not: Barnet Council confirmed on 10 September 2026 that the motorcycle exemption Transport for London allows on its red routes does not apply to council-enforced bus lanes, and that the permitted classes do not vary between its sites.
That confirmation came in its response to freedom of information request 18409260. Hours, directions and the enforcement start date are from the council's own CCTV traffic enforcement open dataset, updated 18 August 2026.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Black cabs (hackney carriages)
- Pedal cycles
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- Private hire vehicles
- Motorcycles
Where exactly is it?
Ballards Lane, Finchley N3 — north-east bound and south-west bound. View on Google Maps →
Got a PCN from this camera?
Don't panic, and don't ignore it. Pay £80 within 14 days to halve the charge — or if the signage was unclear, the details are wrong, or you had a genuine reason to be in the lane, consider challenging it first. Our step-by-step appeal guide covers the grounds that actually win.
Frequently asked questions
What are the operating times of the Ballards Lane bus lane?
Barnet Council's published record gives the operating times of the Ballards Lane Bus Lane (Finchley) in Barnet as “Varies by direction — see notes” rather than a single time range, so the sign at the start of the lane is the definitive source.
How much is the fine for driving through the Ballards Lane bus lane?
Barnet Council issues a Penalty Charge Notice of £160, reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days. There are no penalty points — it is a civil penalty.
Who is allowed to use the Ballards Lane bus lane?
Buses, black cabs (hackney carriages) and pedal cycles are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, lorries, private hire vehicles and motorcycles.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Ballards Lane bus lane?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to Barnet Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If Barnet Council rejects them it must issue a Notice of Rejection, and you can then appeal free to the Environment and Traffic Adjudicators at London Tribunals. Its adjudicators are lawyers independent of the enforcing authority, and their decision is binding on both sides. Barnet Council does not publish this bus lane's operating times centrally, which makes signage the decisive issue: the restriction has to be signed clearly enough to be understood on approach, and unclear signage is a recognised ground of appeal. It is worth doing: Barnet Council accepted 24% of the 2,383 formal challenges it received in 2025/26 (figures from its own FOI response). Note that paying the £80 discounted rate accepts liability and closes the case, so challenge before you pay.