About this bus lane
One of the two Liverpool bus lane restrictions the council enforces without a camera.
This one covers the right turn out of Strand Street northbound into James Street, and only in the afternoon and early evening: Liverpool City Council gives the operational time as 12pm to 6pm, Monday to Saturday, with taxis, licensed private hire vehicles and pedal cycles exempt. There is no ANPR camera here.
When the council listed its camera-enforced bus lane sites under Freedom of Information it named only Ranelagh Street and Irvine Street, so this location is signed but not automatically enforced — which does not make it optional, since the traffic order is in force and the sign is legally binding.
Transcribed from the council's "Bus lane locations" table, which gives the location as "Strand Street (northbound, right turn into James St)", the operational time as "12pm-6pm, Mon-Sat" and the exemptions as "Taxis, Licensed Private Hire, Pedal cycles"; the absence of a camera is from its response to request FOI-2026-2138, answered 19 August 2026.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Taxis
- Private hire vehicles
- Pedal cycles
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Motorcycles
- Lorries
Where exactly is it?
Strand Street northbound, at the right turn into James Street, Liverpool waterfront. View on Google Maps →
Got a PCN here?
Liverpool City Council's own list of camera-enforced sites does not include this one, so a camera PCN from this location would be unexpected — check the notice carefully and make sure it names the road you were actually on. If it does, it is still £70, reduced to £35 within 21 days, and our step-by-step appeal guide covers the grounds that actually win. The restriction itself is not optional: the traffic order is in force and the police keep their own power to act.
Frequently asked questions
What are the operating times of the Strand Street bus lane?
The Strand Street Bus Lane (northbound) in Liverpool operates 12pm to 6pm, Monday to Saturday. Outside these hours, general traffic may use the road normally.
How much is the fine for driving through the Strand Street bus lane?
Liverpool 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 Strand Street bus lane?
Buses, taxis, private hire vehicles and pedal cycles are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, motorcycles and lorries.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Strand Street bus lane?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to Liverpool City Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If Liverpool 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. The grounds that win here are that your vehicle was not in the bus lane during its operating times (Mon–Sat 12pm–6pm), that it was an exempt vehicle, 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.