About this bus gate
Bus gate on Colston Avenue in central Bristol — closed to taxis and motorcycles, unlike most Bristol bus gates.
Bristol City Council's exemption table shows this bus gate does NOT exempt taxis, motorcycles or HGVs — only buses, emergency vehicles and bicycles may pass. All Bristol bus gates operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Emergency vehicles
- Bicycles
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- HGVs
- Taxis
- Motorcycles
Where exactly is it?
Colston Avenue, Bristol city centre. 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 Colston Avenue bus gate?
The Colston Avenue Bus Gate 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 Colston Avenue bus gate?
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 Colston Avenue bus gate?
Buses, emergency vehicles and bicycles are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, lorries, hGVs, taxis and motorcycles.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Colston Avenue bus gate?
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 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. Note that paying the £35 discounted rate accepts liability and closes the case, so challenge before you pay.