About this bus lane
| Direction | Operating times | Who may use it |
|---|---|---|
| Northbound | 7am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday | buses, cycles and taxis (black cabs) |
Hours and permitted vehicles from Transport for London's official London bus lane database (open data, last updated February 2026). Transport for London enforces bus lanes on its red route network (the TLRN) using ANPR cameras.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Black cabs (hackney carriages)
- Pedal cycles
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- Private hire vehicles
- Motorcycles
Where exactly is it?
Canonbury Road (northbound), London. Open the exact location in Google Maps → Pin from Transport for London's own bus lane dataset.
Got a PCN from this camera?
Don't panic, and don't ignore it. Pay £80 within 14 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 Canonbury Road bus lane?
The Canonbury Road Bus Lane in TfL Red Routes operates 7am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday. Outside these hours, general traffic may use the road normally.
How much is the fine for driving through the Canonbury Road bus lane?
Transport for London issues a Penalty Charge Notice of £160, reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days. There are no penalty points — it is a civil penalty.
Who is allowed to use the Canonbury Road bus lane?
Buses, black cabs (hackney carriages) and pedal cycles are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, lorries, private hire vehicles and motorcycles.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Canonbury Road bus lane?
Yes, and it costs nothing. This bus lane is on a TfL red route, so representations go to Transport for London — not Islington Council, which handles the challenge from start to finish. If Transport for London rejects them it must issue a Notice of Rejection, and you can then appeal free to the Environment and Traffic Adjudicators at London Tribunals. 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 bus lane during its operating times (7–7pm Mon–Sat), that it was an exempt vehicle, or that the signage did not make the restriction clear. It is worth doing: Transport for London accepted 67% of the 11,802 formal challenges it received in 2025/26, and of the 402 that went on to the tribunal, 19 succeeded (figures from its own FOI response). Note that paying the £80 discounted rate accepts liability and closes the case, so challenge before you pay.