About this bus only street
Bus only street enforced 24/7 by static approved camera. West Northamptonshire Council confirmed under FOI (FOI-26-009041) that camera enforcement began 14 February 2021; two cameras (North and South) issued 85,512 PCNs here over 2021/22–2025/26.
The council applied a Section 21 exemption over the full permitted-vehicle list, so check roadside signage for exemptions (taxis, cycles, loading).
Who can use it
- Buses
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
Where exactly is it?
Drapery, Northampton town centre. 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 Drapery bus only street?
The Drapery Bus Only Street in Northampton operates 24/7. There is no time of day when general traffic may use it.
How much is the fine for driving through the Drapery bus only street?
West Northamptonshire 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 Drapery bus only street?
Buses are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans and lorries.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Drapery bus only street?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to West Northamptonshire Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If West Northamptonshire 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. It is worth doing: West Northamptonshire Council accepted 33% of the 4,401 formal challenges it received in 2025/26, and of the 109 that went on to the tribunal, 32 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.