About this bus lane
A peak-hours-only bus lane — open to all traffic outside 7.30–9.30am and 4–6.30pm on weekdays, and all day on weekends.
This bus lane is watched by a camera, and the council has never published the fact. The City of Edinburgh Council confirmed under freedom of information that camera enforcement began here on 30 September 2019, and that the camera has issued 5,664 charge notices across the four years it reported — 2,123 in 2021/22, 1,808 in 2022/23, 1,064 in 2023/24, 669 in 2025/26.
The council announced this camera going live and set out the restriction at the time: only buses, taxis, motorcycles, pedal cyclists and emergency service vehicles may use the lane during its hours of operation, 7.30am to 9.30am and 4pm to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday. Outside those hours, and at weekends, any vehicle may use it.
Note a change is coming: the council plans to begin a trial in October 2026 extending bus lane hours along the A1 and A199, between East Milton Road and London Road, to 7am to 7pm seven days a week. This road is on that route, so its hours are expected to change.
Motorcycles are permitted on Edinburgh's peak-hour lanes, unlike its 24-hour lanes and bus gates, and private hire vehicles are not permitted at any time — only taxis proper.
Transcribed from the City of Edinburgh Council's freedom of information response edir:63403 (18 August 2026), question 6 for the enforcement start date and question 1 for the charge notice counts, and from the council's "Bus lane notices" page for the hours, permitted vehicles and charge, together with its news release "New bus lane cameras go live in Edinburgh" (3 October 2019), which names this camera, and its "Bus lane trial" pages for the proposed 2026 change.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Taxis
- Motorcycles
- Pedal cycles
- Emergency vehicles
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Private hire vehicles
Where exactly is it?
Milton Road, the A1 through Duddingston and Brunstane, Edinburgh. View on Google Maps →
Got a PCN from this camera?
Don't panic, and don't ignore it. Pay £50 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 Milton Road bus lane?
The Milton Road Bus Lane in Edinburgh operates 7.30am to 9.30am and 4pm to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday. Outside these hours, general traffic may use the road normally.
How much is the fine for driving through the Milton Road bus lane?
City of Edinburgh Council issues a Penalty Charge Notice of £100, reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days. There are no penalty points — it is a civil penalty.
Who is allowed to use the Milton Road bus lane?
Buses, taxis, motorcycles, pedal cycles and emergency vehicles are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans and private hire vehicles.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Milton Road bus lane?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Challenge the charge with City of Edinburgh Council within 28 days of the date on the notice. If City of Edinburgh Council rejects them it must issue a Notice of Rejection, and you can then appeal free within 28 days of that rejection to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (General Regulatory Chamber). 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 shown above, that it was an exempt vehicle, or that the signage did not make the restriction clear. Note that paying the £50 discounted rate accepts liability and closes the case, so challenge before you pay.