About this bus lane
Hours (24 hours per day) and permitted vehicles (buses, taxis and cyclists) are published by the council. The extent is NOT reliable: the council page repeats the Academy Way bus gate wording ("from junction from Bridge Street for a distance of 45 meters in a north easterly direction"), while its own photo captions place this lane at the Time Square multi-storey car park and Roebuck Plaza.
Camera enforcement is confirmed by the sealed Academy Street and Scotland Road (One Way Traffic and Bus Lane) (Amendment No. 1) Order 2020, an Approved Device order. Exact extent asked in an FOI.
Camera enforcement here began in August 2020. Warrington Borough Council confirmed this location is camera-enforced, and gave the date enforcement began, in its response to Freedom of Information request IR\ET\1083, answered 7 August 2026.
Who can use it
- Buses
- Taxis
- Cyclists
- Emergency vehicles
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- Motorcycles
Where exactly is it?
Academy Street near Time Square and Roebuck Plaza, Warrington town centre. 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 Academy Street bus lane?
The Academy Street Bus Lane in Warrington operates 24 hours per day. There is no time of day when general traffic may use it.
How much is the fine for driving through the Academy Street bus lane?
Warrington 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 Academy Street bus lane?
Buses, taxis, cyclists and emergency vehicles are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, lorries and motorcycles.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Academy Street bus lane?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to Warrington Borough Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If Warrington 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 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.