About this bus lane
Birmingham's entertainment strip — the bus lane runs all day, every day, and catches visitors heading for the nightlife.
24-hour restriction. Licensed taxis, pedal cycles and solo motorcycles are permitted; private hire vehicles are not.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Licensed taxis
- Pedal cycles
- Solo motorcycles
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- Private hire vehicles
Where exactly is it?
Broad Street, inbound, from Five Ways to east of Ryland Road (Ladywood). View on Google Maps →
Got a PCN from this camera?
Don't panic, and don't ignore it. Pay £35 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 Broad Street bus lane?
The Broad Street Bus Lane in Birmingham operates all day, every day (24 hours). There is no time of day when general traffic may use it.
How much is the fine for driving through the Broad Street bus lane?
Birmingham City Council issues a Penalty Charge Notice of £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days. There are no penalty points — it is a civil penalty.
Who is allowed to use the Broad Street bus lane?
Buses, licensed taxis, pedal cycles and solo motorcycles are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, lorries and private hire vehicles.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Broad Street bus lane?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to Birmingham City Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If Birmingham City 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 lane 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 signage did not make the restriction clear. It is worth doing: Birmingham City Council accepted 39% of the 1,206 formal challenges it received in 2025/26, and of the 459 that went on to the tribunal, 174 succeeded (figures from its own FOI response). Note that paying the £35 discounted rate accepts liability and closes the case, so challenge before you pay.