About this bus lane
This central stretch of Fishergate, between Mount Street and Corporation Street, is a bus-only street between 11am and 6pm every day. Outside those hours other traffic may use it.
Buses, pedal cycles and hackney carriage taxis are exempt during the restricted window, as are vehicles the council has authorised in writing to reach the land shown on the plan attached to the Order. Private hire vehicles are not covered by the taxi exemption — the Order defines a taxi as a vehicle licensed under Section 37 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847, which is a hackney carriage.
The lane was reinstated on 29 September 2025 after a temporary suspension during nearby demolition works. Fishergate carries three separate restrictions and three cameras: this one, a ten-metre bus gate at Butler Street enforced since 2016, and a 24-hour bus-only section from Glovers Court to Cannon Street; the camera the council records at Cheapside has been live since 16 December 2019.
Emergency vehicles on statutory duties, vehicles avoiding an accident, council vehicles that cannot use another road, vehicles clearing an obstruction, Royal Mail vans and vehicles working on the street 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 (Preston City Centre, Preston City) (Revocation and Bus Lanes) Order 2019, Article 4 and Schedule 3, in force 28 January 2019.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Pedal cycles
- Hackney carriage taxis
- Vehicles authorised in writing by the council
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- Private hire vehicles
Where exactly is it?
Fishergate between Mount Street and Corporation Street, Preston. 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 Fishergate bus lane?
The Fishergate Bus Lane in Preston operates every day, 11am to 6pm. Outside these hours, general traffic may use the road normally.
How much is the fine for driving through the Fishergate bus lane?
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 Fishergate bus lane?
Buses, pedal cycles, hackney carriage taxis and vehicles authorised in writing by the council are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, lorries and private hire vehicles.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Fishergate bus lane?
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. The grounds that win here are that your vehicle was not in the bus lane during its operating times (11am–6pm daily), that it was an exempt vehicle, or that the signage did not make the restriction clear. Note that paying the £35 discounted rate accepts liability and closes the case, so challenge before you pay.