About this bus gate
Northumberland's only bus gate, and a heavily enforced one — the council issued 5,021 PCNs here between 1 November 2021 and 31 October 2022, around 14 a day. Operates every day, all hours.
The restriction predates the camera: the road was long bus-only, but a new roundabout at its western end led to heavy use by private cars, so ANPR enforcement was introduced under the Laverock Hall Road Bus Lane Order 2020 (in force 12 October 2020), which revoked the 2016 prohibition of driving order.
Look for the signs and 'BUS GATE' painted at both ends. To avoid it, the council directs drivers to the A1061 east-west and the B1523 north-south; Portland Wynd is reachable from the A1061 roundabout.
The penalty rose to £70/£35 on 31 May 2022.
Who can use it
- Buses and local buses
- Pedal cycles
- Vehicles authorised in writing by the council
- Police, fire and ambulance vehicles responding to an emergency call
- Highway maintenance and utility works vehicles
- Royal Mail vehicles delivering to adjacent premises
- Council vehicles on statutory duties
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- Motorcycles
- Taxis
- Private hire vehicles
Where exactly is it?
C407 Laverock Hall Road, Blyth, from a point 10 metres east of its junction with Primrose Gardens to a point 10 metres west of its junction with Benridge Park. 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 Laverock Hall Road bus gate?
The Laverock Hall Road Bus Gate in Blyth operates all days, all hours. There is no time of day when general traffic may use it.
How much is the fine for driving through the Laverock Hall Road bus gate?
Northumberland 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 Laverock Hall Road bus gate?
Buses and local buses, pedal cycles, vehicles authorised in writing by the council, police, fire and ambulance vehicles responding to an emergency call, highway maintenance and utility works vehicles, Royal Mail vehicles delivering to adjacent premises and council vehicles on statutory duties are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, lorries, motorcycles, taxis and private hire vehicles.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Laverock Hall Road bus gate?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to Northumberland County Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If Northumberland 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. It is worth doing: Northumberland County Council accepted 36% of the 467 formal challenges it received in 2025/26, and of the 3 that went on to the tribunal, 0 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.