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 | buses and cycles only, 24 hours | see list below |
| North-east bound | buses | taxis and cycles, 24 hours — taxis are only permitted north-east bound |
Westminster's published list of fixed traffic enforcement cameras contains no bus lane cameras; mobile camera units may still enforce moving traffic contraventions.
Hours and permitted vehicles from Transport for London's official London bus lane database (open data, last updated February 2026).
Who can use it
- Buses
- Pedal cycles
Not permitted
- Cars
- Vans
- Lorries
- Taxis and private hire vehicles
- Motorcycles
Where exactly is it?
Shaftesbury Avenue, West End, London W1/WC2. 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 Shaftesbury Avenue bus lane?
The Shaftesbury Avenue Bus Lane in Westminster 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 Shaftesbury Avenue bus lane?
Westminster City 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 Shaftesbury Avenue bus lane?
Buses and pedal cycles are permitted. Not permitted: cars, vans, lorries, taxis and private hire vehicles and motorcycles.
Can I appeal a PCN from the Shaftesbury Avenue bus lane?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Make formal representations to Westminster City Council first — the authority that issued the PCN has to consider them before it can enforce the penalty. If Westminster City 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. 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 £80 discounted rate accepts liability and closes the case, so challenge before you pay.