About this bus only street
North Road is a bus-only street westbound between Chapel Street and Damside Street, and it applies at any time — there is no off-peak window. Buses, pedal cycles and hackney carriage taxis may use it, as may vehicles the council has authorised in writing to deliver to properties on North Road between those two junctions.
Private hire vehicles are not covered by the taxi exemption: the Order defines a taxi as a vehicle licensed under Section 37 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847, which is a hackney carriage. Loading and unloading to premises on or next to this stretch is separately allowed.
The restriction has been in force since September 2021, but Lancashire County Council only switched the ANPR camera on for live enforcement on 1 June 2026, after a period of warning notices — so a clear run before that date is not a guide to what happens now. Emergency vehicles on statutory duties, vehicles avoiding an accident, council vehicles that cannot use another road, vehicles clearing an obstruction, Royal Mail vans and vehicles working on the street are all separately exempt.
Lancashire County Council enforces its bus lanes with static ANPR cameras and charges £70, halved to £35 if paid within 21 days and rising to £105 once a charge certificate is served.
Transcribed from the Lancashire County Council (Various Roads, Burnley and Hyndburn Boroughs, and Lancaster City) (Revocation and Bus Lanes) Order 2021, Articles 7 and 9 and Schedule 6, in force 13 September 2021.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Pedal cycles
- Hackney carriage taxis
- Vehicles authorised in writing by the council
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- Private hire vehicles
Where exactly is it?
North Road westbound, between Chapel Street and Damside Street, Lancaster. 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 North Road bus only street?
The North Road Bus Only Street in Lancaster operates at any time. There is no time of day when general traffic may use it.
How much is the fine for driving through the North Road bus only street?
Lancashire County 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 North Road bus only street?
Buses, pedal cycles, hackney carriage taxis and vehicles authorised in writing by the council are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, lorries and private hire vehicles.
Can I appeal a PCN from the North Road bus only street?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to Lancashire County Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If Lancashire County 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. This bus only street operates 24 hours, so "I was outside the operating times" is not open to you — the grounds that win here are that your vehicle was exempt, that the details on the PCN are wrong, 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.