About this bus lane
The northbound Ablewell Street bus lane operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is one of Walsall's more restrictive sites: only buses, pedal cycles and emergency vehicles may use it. Taxis are barred — neither hackney carriages nor private hire vehicles are permitted — and so are motorcycles.
The camera has been in place since February 2023. Hours and permitted vehicles come from Walsall Council's response to freedom of information request RFI-16212-26, 31 July 2026, which set out the position for each traffic order section by vehicle class.
Private hire vehicles are not permitted in any of the sites the council detailed. The penalty is £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Pedal cycles
- Emergency vehicles
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- Private hire vehicles
- Hackney carriages
- Motorcycles
Where exactly is it?
Ablewell Street (northbound), Walsall. 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 Ablewell Street bus lane?
The Ablewell Street Bus Lane in Walsall operates 24 hours a day, 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 Ablewell Street bus lane?
Walsall 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 Ablewell Street bus lane?
Buses, pedal cycles and emergency vehicles are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, lorries, private hire vehicles, hackney carriages and motorcycles.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Ablewell Street bus lane?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to Walsall Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If Walsall 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.