About this bus lane
This road has 2 separate bus lane stretches. Each has its own hours — check the sign at the start of the stretch you are in.
| Direction | Operating times | Who may use it |
|---|---|---|
| Southbound | 7–10am and 4–7pm Monday to Saturday | see list below |
| Eastbound | 4–7pm Monday to Friday | see list below |
Hours and permitted vehicles from Transport for London's official London bus lane database (open data, last updated February 2026). Tower Hamlets enforces bus lanes by CCTV; PCNs are issued by post.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Black cabs (hackney carriages)
- Pedal cycles
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- Private hire vehicles
- Motorcycles
Where exactly is it?
Hackney Road, London E2. 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 Hackney Road bus lane?
Tower Hamlets Council's published record gives the operating times of the Hackney Road Bus Lane in Tower Hamlets as “Varies by section — see notes” rather than a single time range, so the sign at the start of the lane is the definitive source.
How much is the fine for driving through the Hackney Road bus lane?
Tower Hamlets Council 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 Hackney 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 Hackney Road bus lane?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to Tower Hamlets Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If Tower Hamlets Council 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. Tower Hamlets Council does not publish this bus lane's operating times centrally, which makes signage the decisive issue: the restriction has to be signed clearly enough to be understood on approach, and unclear signage is a recognised ground of appeal. Note that paying the £80 discounted rate accepts liability and closes the case, so challenge before you pay.