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 use the bus lanes. All 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. Bus lane's are still in place on public and bank holidays.

Academy Street/Scotland Road

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

Buses, taxis and cyclists at all times.

Academy Way bus gate

From junction from Bridge Street for a distance of 45 meters in a north easterly direction.

Buses, taxis and cyclists at all times.

Birchwood bus gate 

Between Birchwood Way and Ordnance Avenue.

Buses only at all times. 

Boston Boulevard

Accessed from Whittle Avenue.

Buses, taxis, cyclists only between 7am and 7pm Monday to Sunday.

Knutsford Road 

Leading to Bridge Foot.

Buses, taxis and cyclists only between 7:30am – 9:30am Monday to Saturday.

Legh Street

Leading to Sankey Street.

Buses, taxis and cyclists at all times.

Lower Bridge Street

Access to/from Bridge Foot.

Buses, taxis and cyclists only at all times.

Wilderspool Causeway

Leading to the Brian Bevan roundabout.

Buses, taxis and cyclists only between 7.30am - 9.30am and 4.30pm - 6.30pm Monday to Sunday.

Winwick Road 

Next to the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Buses and cyclists only at all times.

Winwick Road (A49) towards town centre

Near to Aldi supermarket.

Buses, taxis and cyclists only at all times.

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, you will receive a fine.    

Bus lane fines

  • fine for driving in a bus lane is £70, reduced to £35 if you pay within 21 days
  • the fine is increased to £105 after 28 days

We send fines in the post, in line with the Department for Transport (DfT) guidelines.

Appeal a bus lane ticket

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

Email: np.warrington@nsl.co.uk

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 21 days, you won’t be able to pay the reduced fee of £35 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 £105.

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).

Our charges are approved under The Civil Enforcement of Road Traffic Contraventions (Approved Devices, Charging Guidelines and General Provisions) (England) Regulations 2022

NSL is our contractor for Penalty Charge Notices you can contact them on 01925 442 324 or email np.warrington@nsl.co.uk