About this bus lane
This is the main bus lane in Newport town centre, running to the bus station, and it applies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Buses, taxis that are in use, blue light services and highway maintenance vehicles carrying out work may all use it.
There is no enforcement camera here and no penalty charge notice will be issued by the council. The Isle of Wight Council confirmed in response to freedom of information request iw26/7/34491, 31 July 2026, that it does not issue penalty charge notices for bus lane contraventions or for any moving traffic contravention — only for parking — and that it does not exercise the bus lane enforcement powers it was given in 2007, nor intend to.
That is not permission to drive through: the traffic regulation order is in force, the roadside sign is legally binding, and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary keep their own power to act against a driver who fails to comply with it. The council publishes no bus lane page of its own, so the hours and permitted vehicles here come from that FOI response rather than from a published list, and it does not publish the extent of either restriction.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Taxis in use
- Blue light services
- Highway maintenance vehicles undertaking work
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- Private hire vehicles
- Motorcycles
Where exactly is it?
St James's Street and South Street, Newport — extent not published by the council. View on Google Maps →
Can you be fined here?
Not by Isle of Wight Council. It has confirmed that it does not carry out bus lane enforcement and issues no Penalty Charge Notices for bus lane contraventions. That does not make the restriction optional — the traffic order is in force, the roadside sign is legally binding, and the police retain their own power to act against a driver who ignores it. If you have received a bus lane PCN naming this location, check who issued it: our appeal guide explains how to challenge one.
Frequently asked questions
What are the operating times of the St James's Street & South Street bus lane?
The St James's Street & South Street Bus Lane in Isle of Wight operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is no time of day when general traffic may use it.
Can I be fined for driving through the St James's Street & South Street bus lane?
Not by the council. Isle of Wight Council states that it does not carry out bus lane enforcement and issues no Penalty Charge Notices for bus lane contraventions, so there is no civil penalty here. That is not permission to drive through it: the traffic order remains in force, the sign is legally binding, and the police keep their own power to prosecute a driver who fails to comply with a traffic sign.
Who is allowed to use the St James's Street & South Street bus lane?
Buses, taxis in use, blue light services and highway maintenance vehicles undertaking work are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, lorries, private hire vehicles and motorcycles.
Who enforces the St James's Street & South Street bus lane?
Not the council. Isle of Wight Council has confirmed it does not undertake bus lane enforcement here, so no penalty charge notice is issued. That leaves enforcement to the police, who can act against a driver who fails to comply with the traffic sign.