About this bus lane
The restriction operates 24 hours a day, every day, including bank holidays — the council confirmed this applies to all five of its enforced bus lanes without exception. Buses, taxis, private hire vehicles, pedal cycles and solo motorcycles may all use it.
The council runs seven cameras across these five lanes: one each at the Chester Bus Interchange, Sealand Road and Upper Northgate Street, and two each on Hough Green and Wrexham Road covering the start and the end of the lane. The council confirmed the penalty is reduced by half if paid within 21 days, not the 14 days its bus lane guidance page states in two places — it has accepted that page is wrong and said it will be corrected.
Transcribed from Cheshire West and Chester Council's response to Freedom of Information request RFI 011874, answered 17 August 2026.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Taxis and private hire vehicles
- Pedal cycles
- Solo motorcycles
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
Where exactly is it?
Sealand Road (north side), in three sections between Clifton Drive and Finchetts Gutter bridge, Chester. 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 Sealand Road bus lane?
The Sealand Road Bus Lane in Chester operates 24 hours a day, including bank holidays. There is no time of day when general traffic may use it.
How much is the fine for driving through the Sealand Road bus lane?
Cheshire West and Chester 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 Sealand Road bus lane?
Buses, taxis and private hire vehicles, pedal cycles and solo motorcycles are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans and lorries.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Sealand Road bus lane?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to Cheshire West and Chester Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If Cheshire West and Chester 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.