About this bus lane
The westbound bus lane on the east/west section of The Forbury, running from a point 85 metres east of the Friar Street junction for about 32 metres, between the northern kerb and the central island. It applies at any time — the Order states no days and no hours for this length.
Buses, pedal cycles and wheelchair-accessible hackney carriages may use it. A hackney carriage is only exempt here if it is wheelchair accessible — the Order permits a "wheelchair accessible taxi", meaning a licensed hackney carriage built or adapted to load a passenger in a wheelchair from the side.
An ordinary taxi is not exempt, and neither is a private hire vehicle or minicab. Pedal cycles are permitted: this Order names them expressly.
The Forbury carries a second, longer restriction on the same east/west section, starting 50 metres east of Friar Street, which is in force only 7am to 11am and 4pm to 7pm, Monday to Sunday — so the outer part of this stretch is restricted round the clock while the approach to it is restricted at peak and early evening only.
Transcribed from the Borough of Reading (Town Centre) (Bus and Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Lanes) (Special Access Permits) Order 2012, sealed 4 October 2012, Schedule 2 "Prohibition of vehicles except bus, cycle and wheelchair accessible taxi", item 9, published on the Traffic Penalty Tribunal's traffic regulation order register at https://tro.trafficpenaltytribunal.gov.uk/TRO/Reading/RG173B.pdf.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Pedal cycles
- Wheelchair-accessible Hackney Carriages
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- Motorcycles
- Private hire vehicles
- Non-wheelchair-accessible taxis
Where exactly is it?
The Forbury (east/west section) westbound, from 85 metres east of Friar Street for about 32 metres, Reading. 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 Forbury bus lane?
The Forbury (East/West Section) Bus Lane in Reading operates at any time. There is no time of day when general traffic may use it.
How much is the fine for driving through The Forbury bus lane?
Reading Borough 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 Forbury bus lane?
Buses, pedal cycles and wheelchair-accessible hackney carriages are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, lorries, motorcycles, private hire vehicles and non-wheelchair-accessible taxis.
Can I appeal a PCN from The Forbury bus lane?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to Reading Borough Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If Reading Borough 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: Reading Borough Council accepted 22% of the 8,297 formal challenges it received in 2023/24, and of the 127 that went on to the tribunal, 10 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.