About this bus gate
A short bus gate on the southern access to Preston bus station, off Lord's Walk, covering the first five metres north-west of the junction. Only buses and vehicles authorised in writing by the council may pass it — unlike the nearby Tithebarn Street and Lord Street bus-only streets, this restriction carries no exemption for taxis or pedal cycles.
The 2021 Order that created the gate set no hours for it; Lancashire County Council confirmed in August 2026 that it operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Emergency vehicles on statutory duties, vehicles avoiding an accident, council vehicles that cannot use another road, vehicles clearing an obstruction, Royal Mail vans collecting or delivering letters next to the gate, and vehicles working on the street or its utilities are all separately exempt.
Lancashire County Council enforces its bus lanes with static ANPR cameras and charges £70, halved to £35 if paid within 21 days and rising to £105 once a charge certificate is served.
Transcribed from the Lancashire County Council (Bus Station Southern Access, Lord Street and Tithebarn Street, Preston, Preston City) (Revocation, Bus Only Street and Bus Gate) Order 2021, Articles 3 and 5 and Schedule 2, in force 22 February 2021, and from Lancashire County Council's response to freedom of information request FOI1248, 24 August 2026.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Authorised vehicles
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- Motorcycles
- Taxis
Where exactly is it?
Preston bus station southern access off Lord's Walk, for 5 metres north-west of the junction. 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 Bus station southern access, off Lord's Walk bus gate?
The Preston Bus Station Southern Access Bus Gate in Preston operates any day at any time. There is no time of day when general traffic may use it.
How much is the fine for driving through the Bus station southern access, off Lord's Walk bus gate?
Lancashire County 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 Bus station southern access, off Lord's Walk bus gate?
Buses and authorised vehicles are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, lorries, motorcycles and taxis.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Bus station southern access, off Lord's Walk bus gate?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to Lancashire County Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If Lancashire County 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 gate 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 approach signage did not give enough warning before the point of no return. Note that paying the £35 discounted rate accepts liability and closes the case, so challenge before you pay.