About this bus only street
Birmingham City Council's bus lane directory records this as a bus-only street: Paradise Circus to Bridge Street, without giving a precise extent — the roadside sign marks exactly where it starts and ends. The directory lists it as not in operation.
That is the council's own record rather than a statement that the restriction has been lifted, so follow the roadside sign — if the sign is up, treat the lane as live.
Hours and permitted vehicles from Birmingham City Council's online bus lane directory entry for this section, linked as the source above.
Who can use it
- All vehicles — restriction is not currently enforced
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
Where exactly is it?
Paradise Circus to Bridge Street. 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 Centenary Square bus only street?
Birmingham City Council's published record gives the operating times of the Centenary Square (Paradise Circus to Bridge Street) Bus Lane in Birmingham as “Not in operation” 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 Centenary Square bus only street?
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 Centenary Square bus only street?
All vehicles — restriction is not currently enforced are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans and lorries.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Centenary Square bus only street?
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. The grounds that win here are that your vehicle was not in the bus only street during its operating times shown above, that it was an exempt vehicle, 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.