About this pedestrian and cycle zone
This is not a bus lane, and there is no camera here. Southampton City Council confirmed under freedom of information that it has never issued a penalty charge notice at the Castle Way school street, and that enforcement can at present only be undertaken by the police.
It also cleared up a confusion in its own figures: the camera it calls the “Castle Way” camera is sited on Castle Way but enforces the Portland Terrace bus gate, so the 29,785 penalties reported against “Castle Way” in 2025/26 belong to Portland Terrace and not to this restriction.
What Castle Way carries instead is a school-time pedestrian and cycle zone. Motor traffic is excluded on weekday mornings and afternoons, the only exception recorded being for vehicles needing access to premises on the street, so a driver passing through without that need can be dealt with by the police whatever the time.
Buses are not named as an exception, and Castle Way does not appear in any of the council’s bus lane or bus-only street schedules. The restriction covers two sections: from St Michael’s Street south to the southern arm of Castle Way Service Road, and from there south to French Street.
Transcribed from the City of Southampton (Moving Traffic Restrictions) Order 2022 (sealed 11 January 2023), Schedule 17 “Pedestrian and Cycle Zones”, the two Castle Way rows, whose restricted hours run Monday to Friday 8.15am to 9am and 2.45pm to 3.30pm and whose Exceptions column reads “Access” and “Access to off street premises” (tro.trafficpenaltytribunal.gov.uk/TRO/Southampton/Moving-traffic-restrictions-2022.pdf); and from Southampton City Council's freedom of information follow-up response of 20 August 2026, under reference SCC-107517.
Who can use it
- Pedal cycles
- Vehicles needing access to premises on the street
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- Motorcycles
Where exactly is it?
Castle Way, city centre — school-time pedestrian and cycle zone between St Michael’s Street and French Street. View on Google Maps →
Got a PCN here?
Southampton City Council's own list of camera-enforced sites does not include this one, so a camera PCN from this location would be unexpected — check the notice carefully and make sure it names the road you were actually on. If it does, it is still £70, reduced to £35 within 21 days, and our step-by-step appeal guide covers the grounds that actually win. The restriction itself is not optional: the traffic order is in force and the police keep their own power to act.
Frequently asked questions
What are the operating times of the Castle Way pedestrian and cycle zone?
The Castle Way Pedestrian and Cycle Zone in Southampton operates Monday to Friday, 8:15am to 9am and 2:45pm to 3:30pm. Outside these hours, general traffic may use the road normally.
How much is the fine for driving through the Castle Way pedestrian and cycle zone?
Southampton 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 Castle Way pedestrian and cycle zone?
Pedal cycles and vehicles needing access to premises on the street are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, lorries and motorcycles.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Castle Way pedestrian and cycle zone?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to Southampton City Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If Southampton 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. The grounds that win here are that your vehicle was not in the pedestrian and cycle zone during its operating times (Mon–Fri 8:15–9am & 2:45–3:30pm), 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.