About this bus lane
Into-town direction, Bateman Street to Union Road. Operates 7am–7pm per the council enforcement page.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Coaches
- Vehicles with 8+ passenger seats
- Licensed taxis on duty
- Cyclists
- Emergency vehicles
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- Motorcycles
Where exactly is it?
Hills Road heading into town, between Bateman Street and Union Road, 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 Hills Road bus lane?
The Hills Road Bus Lane (into town) in Cambridge operates every day, 7am to 7pm. Outside these hours, general traffic may use the road normally.
How much is the fine for driving through the Hills Road bus lane?
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 Hills Road bus lane?
Buses, coaches, vehicles with 8+ passenger seats, licensed taxis on duty, cyclists and emergency vehicles are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, lorries and motorcycles.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Hills Road bus lane?
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. The grounds that win here are that your vehicle was not in the bus lane during its operating times (Daily 7am–7pm), that it was an exempt vehicle, 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.