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.
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.
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.
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.
If you want to appeal you have to do it in writing, either by post or email:
Warrington Notice Processing, PO Box 229, Sheffield, S98 1PF
In your written appeal you must tell us:
If you didn’t own the vehicle at the time the ticket was issued, let us know:
You’ll also need to include any supporting information or documents, such as hire agreements, proof of purchase, proof of sale, etc.
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.
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.
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.
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.
