About this bus lane
This road has 6 separate bus lane stretches, including more than one in the same direction. Each has its own hours — check the sign at the start of the stretch you are in.
| Direction | Operating times | Who may use it |
|---|---|---|
| South-west bound | 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm, Monday to Friday | buses, cycles and taxis (black cabs) |
| North-east bound | 4pm to 7pm, Monday to Saturday | buses, cycles and taxis (black cabs) |
| Eastbound | 4pm to 7pm, Monday to Friday | buses, cycles and taxis (black cabs) |
| Westbound | 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm, Monday to Friday | buses, cycles and taxis (black cabs) |
| Westbound | 7am to 10am, Monday to Friday | buses, cycles and taxis (black cabs) |
| North-east bound | 4pm to 7pm, Monday to Friday | buses, cycles and taxis (black cabs) |
Hours and permitted vehicles from Transport for London's official London bus lane database (open data, last updated February 2026). Newham Council enforces bus lanes and moving-traffic restrictions using CCTV cameras.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Black cabs (hackney carriages)
- Pedal cycles
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- Private hire vehicles
- Motorcycles
Where exactly is it?
Romford Road (south-west bound, north-east bound, eastbound and westbound), Newham, London. View on Google Maps →
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 Romford Road bus lane?
Newham Council's published record gives the operating times of the Romford Road Bus Lane in Newham as “Varies by direction — see notes” rather than a single time range, so the sign at the start of the lane is the definitive source.
How much is the fine for driving through the Romford Road bus lane?
Newham 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 Romford Road 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 Romford Road bus lane?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to Newham Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If Newham 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. Newham Council does not publish this bus lane's operating times centrally, which makes signage the decisive issue: the restriction has to be signed clearly enough to be understood on approach, and unclear signage is a recognised ground of appeal. It is worth doing: Newham Council accepted 13% of the 1,823 formal challenges it received in 2025/26 (figures from its own FOI response). Note that paying the £80 discounted rate accepts liability and closes the case, so challenge before you pay.