About this bus gate
Bus gate on Urquhart Road at the Braemore Close junction, open at all times to local buses, pedal cycles and emergency vehicles only. Taxis are not exempt here, unlike the Park Way Bridge bus lane in Newbury.
Camera enforcement began on 2 January 2026, so this is a recent restriction and one of the newest camera sites in West Berkshire. Confirmed by West Berkshire Council FOI reference FoI/2026/870 (response 13 August 2026), which gives the location, type, hours, permitted vehicles and enforcement start date.
The council did not publish the extent of the gate, so check the roadside signage.
Who can use it
- Local buses
- Pedal cycles
- Emergency vehicles
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- Motorcycles
- Taxis
Where exactly is it?
Urquhart Road at its junction with Braemore Close, Thatcham. 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 Urquhart Road bus gate?
The Urquhart Road Bus Gate in Thatcham operates at all times. There is no time of day when general traffic may use it.
How much is the fine for driving through the Urquhart Road bus gate?
West Berkshire 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 Urquhart Road bus gate?
Local buses, pedal cycles and emergency vehicles are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, lorries, motorcycles and taxis.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Urquhart Road bus gate?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to West Berkshire Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If West Berkshire 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.