About this bus lane
Two separate with-flow bus lanes on The Strand. The first runs northerly on the west side carriageway from the Gold Street junction to a point 10 metres south of Baths Passage; the second runs north-westerly on the south-west carriageway, from 60 metres south-east of Edensor Road to 15 metres north-west of Clayton Street.
Both are open to buses and pedal cycles at all times. Stoke-on-Trent City Council's complete list of camera-enforced locations, given in FOI SOT-147931 (response 18 August 2026), does not include this lane, and no penalties are recorded here.
That is the council's own list rather than a guess, and it covers the city's camera car as well as its fixed cameras, so this is unlikely to be a site that is quietly patrolled. The restriction itself is still in force: the traffic order stands, the roadside sign is legally binding, and the council can add a camera or send the camera car at any time.
Transcribed from the City of Stoke-on-Trent (Traffic Regulation) (Bus Lanes) (No. 52) Consolidation Order 2010, First Schedule item 24(a)–(b), times of operation "At anytime", permitted vehicles "Bus and Pedal Cycles".
Who can use it
- Buses
- Pedal cycles
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- Motorcycles
- Taxis
- Private hire vehicles
Where exactly is it?
The Strand, Longton — the west side carriageway between Gold Street and Baths Passage, and the south-west carriageway between Edensor Road and Clayton Street. View on Google Maps →
Got a PCN here?
Stoke-on-Trent 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 Strand bus lane?
The Strand Bus Lanes (Longton) in Stoke-on-Trent operates 24 hours a day, every day. There is no time of day when general traffic may use it.
How much is the fine for driving through The Strand bus lane?
Stoke-on-Trent 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 Strand bus lane?
Buses and pedal cycles are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, lorries, motorcycles, taxis and private hire vehicles.
Can I appeal a PCN from The Strand bus lane?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to Stoke-on-Trent City Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If Stoke-on-Trent 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. 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.