Derby Corporation Street bus lane fines

This temporary traffic sign on Corporation Street is to be moved after a complaint was raised that it was 'misleading'. Image by Bob North.

More than 100,000 fines have been issued to motorists caught using a Derby bus lane.

The Corporation Street “bus gate” has seen Derby City Council raise more than £3 million from fines in recent years.

More than a year ago it was reported that more than 96,000 fines had been issued to drivers, and new data shows thousands more have been caught out since then.

Around 14,000 fines were issued to drivers caught on camera breaching the bus lane during the first half of this year and during the same period last year.

Between January 1st and July 31st in 2025, 7,462 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) were issued, compared with 7,239 in the same period this year, and a Freedom of Information (FOI) request showed that more than 1,200 fines were issued in December alone last year.

Motorists are usually fined around £70 but it can be reduced to around half if paid quickly.

The FOI also showed that around 500 motorists caught out had a postcode outside of Derby and Derbyshire.

The city centre street, where the Council House is situated, can be used only by buses, taxis, cyclists and pedestrians between 7am and 7pm. Cameras and approved signage are in place to warn motorists near the road.

The council says the bus lane “has successfully reduced traffic” and it has repeatedly defended the quality of bus lane signage around the area.

The council says any revenue generated from PCNs is spent on improving highways and transport.

Councillor Carmel Swan, cabinet member for transport, said: “The signage on Corporation Street goes above and beyond what is necessary to meet the regulatory requirements.

“It has been tested by the Traffic Penalty Tribunal where two separate independent adjudicators concluded that the restriction is clearly marked and signed.

“The restriction has successfully reduced traffic in the area, and the scheme is a key part of removing unnecessary traffic from the city centre and reducing air pollution, creating an improved environment for pedestrians and for the use of adjacent public spaces.

“It also has benefits for public transport, ensuring that services run smoothly.

“We follow national legislation in respect of appeals. Any revenue generated as a result of PCNs is used directly to improve highways and transport within the city.”

There have been calls for the bus lane to be axed, with several calling it a “cash cow” for the council to raise some money.

Last year, father-of-two Francis Hancock from Derby spoke out after being caught using the bus lane.

Mr Hancock said: “Before you know where you are, you are on it (the bus gate) and it is too late. I think it is too easy for people to fall into this trap.”