About this bus lane
Existing bus lane moved to camera enforcement by West Northamptonshire Council: warning notices from 22 June 2026, Penalty Charge Notices from 6 July 2026. The council confirmed under FOI (FOI-26-009041) that this lane operates 24/7.
Buses only; check roadside signage for any exemptions.
Who can use it
- Buses
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
Where exactly is it?
Duston Road, Northampton. 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 Duston Road bus lane?
The Duston Road Bus Lane 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 Duston Road bus lane?
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 Duston Road bus lane?
Buses are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans and lorries.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Duston Road bus lane?
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 lane 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.