About this bus lane
This eastbound contraflow runs at any time. Buses, taxis, private hire vehicles and cyclists may use it.
Private hire vehicles were not permitted when the restriction was first made, and an earlier version of this page said so; they were added to the vehicle list in 2021, when the length was also remade as a bus-only route rather than a bus lane. Note that it is a different restriction from the Western Road bus-only route further east, which runs from Regent Hill to Dyke Road and only bites between 8am and 8pm — this section runs eastwards from Montpelier Road to Clarence Square and applies around the clock.
Transcribed from the Brighton & Hove (Bus Lanes) Consolidation Order 2018 as amended, Schedule 1 Part 2.1 “Bus Only Routes At Any Time” item 2, inserted by Amendment Order No.1 2020 (TRO-26-2020, sealed 17 February 2021), which revoked the earlier Part 1.1 bus lane at item 41 over the same length; the sealed orders are on the Traffic Penalty Tribunal’s traffic order register at tro.tpt.gov.uk/brighton-and-hove/.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Taxis
- Private hire vehicles
- Pedal cycles
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
Where exactly is it?
Western Road at Montpelier Road (Eastbound), Brighton. 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 Western Road bus lane?
The Western Road at Montpelier Road Bus Lane in Brighton & Hove operates at any time. Outside these hours, general traffic may use the road normally.
How much is the fine for driving through the Western Road bus lane?
Brighton & Hove City 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 Western Road bus lane?
Buses, taxis, private hire vehicles and pedal cycles are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans and lorries.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Western Road bus lane?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to Brighton & Hove City Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If Brighton & Hove 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 lane during its operating times (24/7), that it was an exempt vehicle, or that the signage did not make the restriction clear. It is worth doing: Brighton & Hove City Council accepted 13% of the 6,785 formal challenges it received in 2025/26, and of the 418 that went on to the tribunal, 83 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.