About this bus lane
The bus lane runs on the more southerly southbound slip road of Garstang Road at Broughton, from a point 105 metres south-east of Church Lane down to the junction with the A6 Broughton Bypass. It applies on any day at any time — there are no off-peak hours when general traffic may use it.
Lancashire County Council told us in September 2026 that buses, licensed hackney carriage taxis and pedal cycles may use it, along with emergency vehicles answering a call; private hire vehicles are not exempt. Note that the sealed 2017 Order itself permits only buses, adding exemptions for the emergency services, local authority and utility works vehicles, Royal Mail deliveries and vehicles removing an obstruction — it does not name taxis or cycles, so read the roadside signs before you rely on either.
The council has run a camera here since 18 May 2018 and it is one of its busiest sites, with 3,137 tickets in 2025/26. Lancashire County Council 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 (Garstang Road, Preston, Preston City) (Bus Lane and Weight Restriction) Order 2017, Articles 2 and 4 and Schedule 1, sealed 29 November 2017 (seal number 26633) and in force from 4 December 2017, supplied by the council in response to freedom of information request FOI1310.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Pedal cycles
- Hackney carriage taxis
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- Private hire vehicles
Where exactly is it?
Garstang Road southbound slip road at Broughton, from 105 metres south-east of Church Lane to the A6 Broughton Bypass, 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 Garstang Road bus lane?
The Garstang Road Bus Lane (Broughton) in Preston operates at any time of the day or night, throughout the week. There is no time of day when general traffic may use it.
How much is the fine for driving through the Garstang Road 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 Garstang Road bus lane?
Buses, pedal cycles and hackney carriage taxis are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, lorries and private hire vehicles.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Garstang Road 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. 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. Note that paying the £35 discounted rate accepts liability and closes the case, so challenge before you pay.