About this bus gate
The only camera-enforced bus restriction in North Northamptonshire — the council states enforcement "currently takes place in Market Street, Wellingborough town centre (bus gate)". Hours and penalty are quoted from that page (last updated 1 May 2026).
The underlying order is The Northamptonshire County Council (Wellingborough) (Bus Lanes, Bus Gates and One Way Streets) Order 2020, in force 7 September 2020, which restricts the gate to local buses (Part 400) and lists the exemptions at Article 8. Article 9 confirms enforcement is by "Approved Device" (ANPR).
Note taxis and cycles ARE exempt here, which is unusual — check roadside signage. A Blue Badge does not exempt you.
The council re-confirmed in July 2026 that this is still the only location it enforces, and that its enforcement here began on 1 April 2023.
Data from the council's response to freedom of information request 202601989, 27 July 2026.
Who can use it
- Local buses
- Licensed hackney carriages
- Pedal cycles
- Emergency service vehicles on duty and doctors displaying a green flashing light
- Council and public cleansing vehicles
- Gas, water, electricity and telecoms works vehicles
- Vehicles delivering or collecting postal packets
- Vehicles accessing off-street premises
- Vehicles in a wedding or funeral procession
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- Motorcycles
- Private hire vehicles
Where exactly is it?
Market Street, Wellingborough town centre, from its junction with Church Street/Park Road for 15 metres in a southerly direction. 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 Market Street bus gate?
The Market Street Bus Gate in Wellingborough operates Monday to Saturday, 9am to 4:30pm. Outside these hours, general traffic may use the road normally.
How much is the fine for driving through the Market Street bus gate?
North Northamptonshire 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 Market Street bus gate?
Local buses, licensed hackney carriages, pedal cycles, emergency service vehicles on duty and doctors displaying a green flashing light, council and public cleansing vehicles, gas, water, electricity and telecoms works vehicles, vehicles delivering or collecting postal packets, vehicles accessing off-street premises and vehicles in a wedding or funeral procession are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, lorries, motorcycles and private hire vehicles.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Market Street bus gate?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to North Northamptonshire Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If North Northamptonshire 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. The grounds that win here are that your vehicle was not in the bus gate during its operating times (Mon–Sat 9am–4.30pm), that it was an exempt vehicle, or that the approach signage did not give enough warning before the point of no return. It is worth doing: North Northamptonshire Council accepted 11% of the 3,641 formal challenges it received in 2025/26, and of the 8 that went on to the tribunal, 0 succeeded (figures from its own FOI response). Note that paying the £35 discounted rate accepts liability and closes the case, so challenge before you pay.