About this bus lane
One of Newcastle's longest bus lane corridors — council's official list shows 8 separate enforced sections (both directions) along Great North Road, all 7am-7pm daily. Camera enforcement on Great North Road began on 27 July 2015, and the council gives the camera’s operating hours as 7am to 7pm every day.
Transcribed from Newcastle City Council’s response to Freedom of Information request 26698, dated 13 August 2026.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Taxis
- Motorcycles
- Pedal cycles
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Private hire vehicles
Where exactly is it?
Great North Road, Newcastle upon Tyne. 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 Great North Road bus lane?
The Great North Road Bus Lane in Newcastle upon Tyne operates 7am to 7pm, every day. Outside these hours, general traffic may use the road normally.
How much is the fine for driving through the Great North Road bus lane?
Newcastle 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 Great North Road bus lane?
Buses, taxis, motorcycles and pedal cycles are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans and private hire vehicles.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Great North Road bus lane?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to Newcastle City Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If Newcastle 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 (7am–7pm daily), that it was an exempt vehicle, or that the signage did not make the restriction clear. It is worth doing: Newcastle City Council accepted 41% of the 5,232 formal challenges it received in 2025/26, and of the 24 that went on to the tribunal, 1 succeeded (figures from its own FOI response). Note that paying the £35 discounted rate accepts liability and closes the case, so challenge before you pay.