About this bus gate
Signed as a bus-only street. Buses and pedal cycles only; per-location hackney-carriage access not individually published, so listed conservatively.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Pedal cycles
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- Motorcycles
- Private hire vehicles
- Licensed taxis (hackney carriages)
Where exactly is it?
Abbey Street — 24-hour bus gate / bus-only street from 35m north-west of its junction with Belgrave Gate. (Distinct from the adjacent Abbey Street box junction, which is not a bus lane.). 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 Abbey Street bus gate?
The Abbey Street Bus Gate in Leicester operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (including bank holidays). There is no time of day when general traffic may use it.
How much is the fine for driving through the Abbey Street bus gate?
Leicester City 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 Abbey Street bus gate?
Buses and pedal cycles are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, lorries, motorcycles, private hire vehicles and licensed taxis (hackney carriages).
Can I appeal a PCN from the Abbey Street bus gate?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to Leicester City Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If Leicester City 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 gate 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 approach signage did not give enough warning before the point of no return. Note that paying the £35 discounted rate accepts liability and closes the case, so challenge before you pay.