A bus gate in Preston has been described as a ‘cash cow’ for the local council (Image: Getty)
A bus gate in a UK town has been described as the « most lucrative » after reportedly netting a council more than £4,000 a day in fines. Lancashire County Council dished out 47,176 penalty charge notices (PCNs) for the bus gate in Preston in 2025.
The results of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request are reported to show that drivers paid £1.54million in fines, which amounts to a little more than £4,200 per day. A bus gate is a short stretch of road only buses and other authorised vehicles are allowed to go through. They differ with bus lanes, which can be used by other vehicles during certain hours.
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Motorists who drive through Preston’s bus gate in Corporation Street are fined £35. The amount rises to £105 if the fine isn’t paid within the first 21 days, according to The Times, which submitted the FOI request. Its ranking puts the gate at the top of a list of the « most lucrative ».
Delivery driver, Keith Brierly, 83, told the same publication: « It’s a cash cow for the council. They’re raking in thousands a week from people who haven’t got a clue. »
A spokesman for the council said the Corporation Street gate was introduced to improve bus reliability through a busy part of Preston city centre. He said feedback from bus operators following the introduction of the bus gate has been positive.
Liberal Democrat councillor Mark Jewell told the BBC the bus gate should be scrapped. He told the broadcaster its location isn’t intuitive and it was « very easy » for people to get caught out.
Figures published by The Times show 1.93 millions PCNs for bus lane contraventions were issued by 102 local authorities last year.
That cost drivers a combined total of £49.3m, with Manchester City Council making the most – £5.3m.
Drivers can appeal against a PCN to an independent tribunal if they think it is wrong. This can include PCNs for parking, breaking traffic rules, such as driving in a bus lane, and not paying the Dartford Crossing.
Different rules apply in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
You have 28 days to challenge a PCN. If you do so within 14 days and your challenge is rejected, you may only have to pay half the fine.
Before appealing, you have to make a formal challenge, known as a « representation ». If that is rejected, you will receive a notice in the post and have 28 days to lodge your appeal after the rejection.
To find out how to appeal, you should visit the Traffic Penalty Tribunal website if the PCN was issued outside London. If the PCN was issued inside the capital, you can find out how to appeal from London Tribunals.
Fines have to be paid within 28 days in the event of an appeal failing. A successful appeal can result in the council cancelling the fine or issuing a new notice or refer your case to an independent tribunal.
For more detail on appealing PCNs, visit the Government’s PCN appeal page online.
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