About this bus lane
The restriction operates 24 hours a day, every day, in both directions. This is the council's busiest bus lane camera by a wide margin — 2,901 penalty charge notices northbound in 2025-26, more than a third of the borough's total.
The northbound camera towards Brown Street has been enforced since 1 April 2017 and the southbound one towards Salford since 1 February 2020. Buses, black cabs and pedal cycles may use it.
Private hire cars and motorcycles may not, and neither may a coach or works bus — the traffic order exempts scheduled local service buses only. Vehicles authorised by the council’s network manager are also exempt.
The penalty is £70, reduced to £35 if you pay within 21 days — the council confirmed both figures in August 2026. The location, hours and enforcement start date come from Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council's response to Freedom of Information request 13854, answered 17 August 2026 — the council states that enforcement runs at 18 locations but publishes no list of them, so this is the only source that names them.
Transcribed from Schedule 1 to the Borough of Blackburn with Darwen (Public Transport Priority Measures) (Reserved Lanes) (Traffic Regulation) (Variation) Order 2020, sealed 19 March 2020, supplied by the council in response to freedom of information request 13987 on 17 August 2026.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Black cabs (hackney carriages)
- Pedal cycles
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- Motorcycles
- Private hire vehicles
Where exactly is it?
Penny Street, Blackburn — northbound towards Brown Street and southbound towards Salford. 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 Penny Street bus lane?
The Penny Street Bus Lane in Blackburn operates 24 hours, every day. There is no time of day when general traffic may use it.
How much is the fine for driving through the Penny Street bus lane?
Blackburn with Darwen Borough 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 Penny Street bus lane?
Buses, black cabs (hackney carriages) and pedal cycles are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, lorries, motorcycles and private hire vehicles.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Penny Street bus lane?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If Blackburn with Darwen Borough 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. Note that paying the £35 discounted rate accepts liability and closes the case, so challenge before you pay.