About this bus lane
Verified against the Colchester Borough (Various Roads, Colchester) (Reserved Bus Lane) Order 2000 (in operation 13 Nov 2000) — Schedule 2, designated a bus lane 24 hours daily. Eastern carriageway from the Essex Hall roundabout to the Albert roundabout.
Permitted: buses, motorcycles, pedal cycles, taxis and licensed private hire vehicles.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Taxis
- Pedal cycles
- Motorcycles
- Licensed private hire vehicles
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
Where exactly is it?
North Station Road (eastern carriageway), from the Essex Hall roundabout to the Albert roundabout, Colchester. View on Google Maps →
Got a PCN from this camera?
Don't panic, and don't ignore it. Pay £35 within 14 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 North Station Road bus lane?
The North Station Road Bus Lane in Colchester operates at all times (24 hours, 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 North Station Road bus lane?
Essex County Council issues a Penalty Charge Notice of £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days. There are no penalty points — it is a civil penalty.
Who is allowed to use the North Station Road bus lane?
Buses, taxis, pedal cycles, motorcycles and licensed private hire vehicles are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans and lorries.
Can I appeal a PCN from the North Station Road bus lane?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to Essex County Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If Essex 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.