About this bus lane
Calderdale Council publishes this site's hours and permitted vehicles, but the restriction is currently enforced by the police, not by camera. The council has approved ANPR enforcement (Cabinet, January 2025) and now expects it "from late 2026" at most locations — the go-live has slipped from the "summer 2026" the council previously published.
For the first two weeks after the cameras start, a first-time contravention gets a warning letter rather than a penalty charge notice; after that fines are issued. (Calderdale's separate moving-traffic camera scheme runs a six-month education period — that is a different scheme and does not apply to these bus lanes.) The penalty is confirmed: Calderdale Council states a charge of £70, halved to £35 if paid within 21 days.
It gave that figure, and the enforcement timetable below, in its response to a freedom of information request answered on 12 August 2026 (reference FOI 56148). The council now records this site as due for implementation in winter 2026, and says it has not formally approved a final enforcement start date for any individual location, so treat that as an expectation rather than a commitment.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Hackney carriages (not private hire)
- Motorcycles
- Cycles
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- Private hire vehicles
Where exactly is it?
A629 Skircoat Road, Halifax — inbound towards the town centre. 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 Skircoat Road bus lane?
The Skircoat Road Bus Lane (A629, inbound) in Halifax operates 7.30am to 9.30am and 4pm to 6pm. Outside these hours, general traffic may use the road normally.
How much is the fine for driving through the Skircoat Road bus lane?
Calderdale 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 Skircoat Road bus lane?
Buses, hackney carriages (not private hire), motorcycles and cycles are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, lorries and private hire vehicles.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Skircoat Road bus lane?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to Calderdale Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If Calderdale 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. 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 £35 discounted rate accepts liability and closes the case, so challenge before you pay.