About this bus gate
Site BA003. Bus gate introduced 2007 alongside the Barnstaple Western Bypass.
Exempt: local buses, cycles and taxis (hackney carriages). ANPR enforcement began 13 April 2026 — warning letters for first offences until 1 November 2026.
Who can use it
- Local buses
- Cycles
- Taxis (hackney carriages)
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- Motorcycles
- Private hire vehicles
Where exactly is it?
Taw Vale, between the northern junction with Litchdon Street and the junction with The Square, Barnstaple. View on Google Maps →
Got a PCN from this camera?
Don't panic, and don't ignore it. Pay £35 within 21 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 Taw Vale bus gate?
The Taw Vale Bus Gate in Barnstaple operates at all times (permanent). There is no time of day when general traffic may use it.
How much is the fine for driving through the Taw Vale bus gate?
Devon County Council issues a Penalty Charge Notice of £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days. There are no penalty points — it is a civil penalty.
Who is allowed to use the Taw Vale bus gate?
Local buses, cycles and taxis (hackney carriages) are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, lorries, motorcycles and private hire vehicles.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Taw Vale bus gate?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to Devon County Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If Devon County Council rejects them it must issue a Notice of Rejection, and you can then appeal free to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal. Its adjudicators are lawyers independent of the enforcing authority, and their decision is binding on both sides. This bus gate operates 24 hours, so "I was outside the operating times" is not open to you — the grounds that win here are that your vehicle was exempt, that the details on the PCN are wrong, or that the approach signage did not give enough warning before the point of no return. Note that paying the £35 discounted rate accepts liability and closes the case, so challenge before you pay.