About this bus lane
This lane runs around the clock — there is no off-peak period when general traffic may use it. It applies to westbound and north-westbound traffic.
Enforcement began on 5 April 2013 and it is a steadily enforced site, drawing between roughly 650 and 2,100 penalty charge notices in each of the last five financial years. The council lists motorcycles, taxis and emergency vehicles as permitted here alongside buses.
It does not mention cycles in this list, though its own bus lane page says cyclists may generally use Bristol bus lanes, so the permitted list here may be incomplete. Bristol City Council published the hours for this lane for the first time in its response to freedom of information request 77300054, answered on 12 August 2026, which listed every camera-enforced bus lane and bus gate in the city with its direction, hours and permitted vehicles.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Bicycles
- Motorcycles
- Taxis
- Emergency vehicles
This list may be incomplete. Bristol City Council does not publish which vehicles are exempt here, so the above is only what its own material confirms. Other vehicles may also be permitted. The sign at the start of the bus lane names the exemptions and is the legal authority.
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
Where exactly is it?
A4 Bath Road at the junction with Totterdown Bridge, Bristol. 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 A4 Bath Road bus lane?
The A4 Bath Road Bus Lane (Totterdown Bridge) in Bristol operates 24 hours a day, every day. There is no time of day when general traffic may use it.
How much is the fine for driving through the A4 Bath Road bus lane?
Bristol 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 A4 Bath Road bus lane?
Buses, bicycles, motorcycles, taxis and emergency vehicles are permitted. Bristol City Council does not publish a full list of exempt vehicles for this bus lane, so others may also be permitted — the sign at the start of it names the exemptions and is the legal authority. Not permitted: cars, vans and lorries.
Can I appeal a PCN from the A4 Bath Road bus lane?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to Bristol City Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If Bristol 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. Note that paying the £35 discounted rate accepts liability and closes the case, so challenge before you pay.