About this bus lane
Sourced directly from Portsmouth City Council's official open-data table of enforced bus lanes (via data.portsmouth.gov.uk).
Location detail is the exact Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) wording published by the council.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Pedal cycles
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Motorcycles
- Private hire vehicles
Where exactly is it?
Charlotte Street, Eastbound, From its junction with Unicorn Road and the access to The Cascades Multi Storey car park, Portsmouth. 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 Charlotte Street bus lane?
The Charlotte Street Bus Lane in Portsmouth operates 24 Hours a day 7 Days a week. There is no time of day when general traffic may use it.
How much is the fine for driving through the Charlotte Street bus lane?
Portsmouth 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 Charlotte Street bus lane?
Buses and pedal cycles are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, motorcycles and private hire vehicles.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Charlotte Street bus lane?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to Portsmouth City Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If Portsmouth 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. 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: Portsmouth City Council accepted 73% of the 950 formal challenges it received in 2025/26, and of the 2 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.