About this bus gate
Verified against the Essex CC (Osborne Street, Colchester) (Bus Gate) Order 2025 (in operation 1 Apr 2025): no motor vehicle westbound at any time except buses, taxis, motorcycles and authorised private hire vehicles (pedal cycles also permitted). From ~1.8m south-east of the Osborne Street/Vineyard Gate corner, north-west ~7.5m.
Emergency/works exemptions apply.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Taxis
- Motorcycles
- Pedal cycles
- Licensed private hire vehicles
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
Where exactly is it?
Osborne Street at the corner with Vineyard Gate (westbound), Colchester town centre. 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 Osborne Street bus gate?
The Osborne Street Bus Gate 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 Osborne Street bus gate?
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 Osborne Street bus gate?
Buses, taxis, motorcycles, pedal cycles and licensed private hire vehicles are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans and lorries.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Osborne Street bus gate?
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 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.