About this bus gate
Southbound. From Schedule 2 of The Swindon Borough Council (Bus Lanes, Bus Gates and Bus Only Roads) Order 2021, in operation 15 November 2021 (Plan 29).
Swindon states plainly that taxis, motorcycles, mopeds and scooters are NOT permitted to enter a bus gate unless the order says otherwise, so treat a bus gate as stricter than a bus lane. Bus gates may be opened to all traffic during major road closures — signs will show when that applies.
Order-wide exemptions apply: police direction, emergency vehicles responding to an incident, removing an obstruction, avoiding an accident, refuse collection, building or demolition work with the council's prior written consent, utility works, maintenance of the lane, and Royal Mail deliveries to adjacent premises.
Swindon uses ANPR cameras; the penalty rises to £105 if not paid within 28 days.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Licensed taxis (hackney carriages)
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- Motorcycles
- Bicycles
- Private hire vehicles
Where exactly is it?
Penzance Drive, southbound, the eastern link road for 16.5 metres to the junction with Wootton Bassett Road. 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 Penzance Drive bus gate?
The Penzance Drive Bus Gate (eastern link road) in Swindon operates 24 hours, 7 days a week. There is no time of day when general traffic may use it.
How much is the fine for driving through the Penzance Drive bus gate?
Swindon 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 Penzance Drive bus gate?
Buses and licensed taxis (hackney carriages) are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, lorries, motorcycles, bicycles and private hire vehicles.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Penzance Drive bus gate?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to Swindon Borough Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If Swindon 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 gate 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 approach signage did not give enough warning before the point of no return. Note that paying the £35 discounted rate accepts liability and closes the case, so challenge before you pay.