About this bus gate
Bus gate operating in both directions, 24/7, per the council enforcement page.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Licensed taxis on duty
- Cyclists
- Emergency vehicles
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- Motorcycles
Where exactly is it?
Emmanuel Road heading into and out of the city, Cambridge. 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 Emmanuel Road bus gate?
The Emmanuel Road Bus Gate in Cambridge operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is no time of day when general traffic may use it.
How much is the fine for driving through the Emmanuel Road bus gate?
Cambridgeshire 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 Emmanuel Road bus gate?
Buses, licensed taxis on duty, cyclists and emergency vehicles are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, lorries and motorcycles.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Emmanuel Road bus gate?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to Cambridgeshire County Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If Cambridgeshire 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. Note that paying the £35 discounted rate accepts liability and closes the case, so challenge before you pay.