About this bus lane
Into-town direction, Barnwell Bridge to River Lane. 24-hour camera-enforced bus lane 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?
Newmarket Road heading into town, between Barnwell Bridge and River Lane, 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 Newmarket Road bus lane?
The Newmarket Road Bus Lane (into town) in Cambridge operates at all times (24 hours). There is no time of day when general traffic may use it.
How much is the fine for driving through the Newmarket 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 Newmarket 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 Newmarket 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. 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.