About this bus lane
Westbound only. Unusually for Islington this lane also runs on Saturday mornings, from 8am to 1.30pm, on top of the weekday morning and evening peaks — so a Saturday-morning drive through here is enforced.
The other Old Street camera, further east near the roundabout, is weekdays only. 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 LW0587, enforcing since 23 August 2017. The council states that its bus lanes are open to local buses, cyclists and taxis; private hire vehicles (for example Uber) are not exempt.
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?
Old Street (westbound) outside 76–78 Old Street, London EC1. 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 Old Street bus lane?
The Old Street Bus Lane (westbound, at 76–78 Old Street) in Islington operates 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm, Monday to Friday; 8am to 1.30pm, Saturday. Outside these hours, general traffic may use the road normally.
How much is the fine for driving through the Old Street 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 Old Street 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 Old Street 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 shown above, 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.