More passengers on buses means fewer cars on the road, which means better air quality and quicker journeys for everyone. Bus lanes reduce travel times, which means more people are likely to use buses. So the lanes are really important to help support public transport, reduce congestion and keep Warrington moving. 

New Scotland Road Bus Gate

The Council has received a considerable number of comments and representations from motorists who have received penalty charge notices, saying that they have been unaware of the above changes. In response to this feedback, a decision has now been taken to cancel all penalty charge notices issued to date (10th December) for Scotland Road Bus Gate and to issue full refunds to all who have already paid them as soon as possible( within 10 working days). The council will be writing to all those due a refund with further details.

Please see leaflet and map providing routes to access Town Hill, Prince Henry Street car park and Cockhedge Centre.

Scotland Road Bus Gate is still in place and enforceable, if a vehicle other than Bus or Taxi enters the bus gate, a PCN may be issued going forward.

Other bus lanes in Warrington

Police, ambulances, fire engines and other emergency vehicles can also use the bus lanes.

All of the bus lanes are clearly marked and have signs which say which vehicles are allowed, and which days/times the bus lanes are in force. All of the bus lane restrictions are still in place on public and bank holidays.

Bus lane cameras

We use Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras on some of our bus lanes so you may receive a fine, called a ‘Penalty Charge Notice’ (PCN), if you drive in one during the restricted times and you’re not driving a ‘permitted’ vehicle - we have a list of number plates for vehicles which are allowed to use the lanes.    

Bus lane fines

The fine for driving in a bus lane is £60. It’s reduced to £30 if you pay within 14 days, and increases to £90 after 28 days. We send them in the post, in line with the Department for Transport (DfT) guidelines.

Appeal a bus lane ticket

In your written appeal you must tell us:

• your vehicle registration number (number plate)
• your PCN reference number - this starts with WI followed by 8 numbers
• the date it was issued
• why you think it should be cancelled 
• if someone else was driving
• if it was a hire car/van
• any other information you think is relevant 

If you didn’t own the vehicle at the time the ticket was issued, let us know:

• the date that you sold or bought the vehicle
• the name and address of the buyer, seller or driver

You’ll also need to include any supporting information or documents, such as hire agreements, proof of purchase, proof of sale, etc.

The appeals process

You must appeal within 28 days, or it may be automatically refused. If you don’t appeal within 14 days, you won’t be able to pay the reduced fee of £30 if the appeal is refused.

Stage 1 – Representations

To appeal you need to fill in the representation form attached to your ticket. 

If we accept your representation, we’ll cancel the ticket, and let you know by email or letter. 

If we refuse your representation, we’ll send you a Notice of Rejection letter with a Traffic Penalty Tribunal (TPT) appeal form attached. You can now either pay the fine or appeal to the TPT, which is an independent organisation who won’t charge you to appeal.

Stage 2 – Charge Certificate

If you don’t pay the fine or appeal to the TPT within 28 days, we’ll issue a Charge Certificate. This will increase your fine to £120.

You’ll no longer have the right to appeal at this stage.

If you don’t pay the Charge Certificate within 14 days, we may register the debt through the county court, and it’s likely that you may have to pay further costs.

The legal stuff

We can issue fines under The Bus Lane Contraventions (Approved Local Authorities) (England) (Amendment) (No. 8) Order 2006 (SI No.2006/3419).

We're an approved local authority for the purposes of section 144 of the Transport Act 2000 (civil penalties for bus lane contraventions).

We're a member of the Bus Lane Adjudication Service Joint Committee (BLASJC).

NSL is our contractor for Penalty Charge Notices. Contact them on 0344 800 8540.