About this bus lane
The newest of Islington's bus lane cameras, switched on in February 2024. Its evening restriction runs an hour later than the borough's other peak-hours lanes — until 8pm rather than 7pm.
Hours, camera position and permitted vehicles come from Islington Council's response to freedom of information request 8167665, answered on 12 August 2026, which supplied the council's current bus lane camera list. The council records this as camera site LW2146, enforcing since 20 February 2024.
The council states that its bus lanes are open to local buses, cyclists and taxis; private hire vehicles (for example Uber) are not exempt. The council's camera list calls this road "Balls Pond Street"; the penalty figures in the same response, and the map, both give it as Balls Pond Road, which is the name used here.
Islington enforces its bus lanes by CCTV.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Black cabs (hackney carriages)
- Pedal cycles
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- Private hire vehicles
- Motorcycles
Where exactly is it?
Balls Pond Road at Bentley Road, London N1. Open the exact location in Google Maps → Pin from Transport for London's own bus lane dataset.
Got a PCN from this camera?
Don't panic, and don't ignore it. Pay £80 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 Balls Pond Road bus lane?
The Balls Pond Road Bus Lane in Islington operates 7am to 10am and 4pm to 8pm, Monday to Friday. Outside these hours, general traffic may use the road normally.
How much is the fine for driving through the Balls Pond Road bus lane?
Islington Council issues a Penalty Charge Notice of £160, reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days. There are no penalty points — it is a civil penalty.
Who is allowed to use the Balls Pond Road bus lane?
Buses, black cabs (hackney carriages) and pedal cycles are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, lorries, private hire vehicles and motorcycles.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Balls Pond Road bus lane?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to Islington Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If Islington Council rejects them it must issue a Notice of Rejection, and you can then appeal free to the Environment and Traffic Adjudicators at London Tribunals. 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 (7–10am, 4–8pm M–F), that it was an exempt vehicle, or that the signage did not make the restriction clear. Note that paying the £80 discounted rate accepts liability and closes the case, so challenge before you pay.