In addition to the bus lanes currently in operation across the county, Essex County Council has recently introduced the first in a series of bus gates that will be created across the county. 

 

A bus lane is a designated lane that is restricted to buses, and is used to speed up public transport. Bus lanes are often used by other authored vehicles such as taxis, motorcycles and private hire vehicles. These are currently enforceable by the Police.

 

A bus gate is a signposted stretch of road, along which use is restricted to public transport and (where specified) taxis and other authorised vehicles. Bus gates have been introduced in areas where it would be inappropriate for a high volume of through traffic, such as residential areas. They are designed to reduce the amount of traffic whilst still giving access to public transport for the use of residents. Travelling through a bus gate will result in the levying of a Penalty Charge Notice.

 

 

The first bus gate in Essex is located at Gyllgrove in Basildon linking the Festival Leisure Park with the Ghyllgrove residential area. Three other sites will come into operation in the near future, and details will be included on this website.

Bus gates are clearly signposted at either end of the stretch of road that is subject to restriction. A traffic camera will record details of all vehicles using the road and, if the vehicle is not an authorised vehicle, a Penalty Charge Notice will be generated and sent to the registered owner of the vehicle.

 

Penalty Charge Notices for bus gates are enforced by Essex County Council. The standard charge is £60, but if payment is made within 14 days this is reduced to £30. If payment is made later than 28 days of the offence the cost will rise to £90. If payment is not made Essex County Council will pursue the matter through the county court and instruct bailiffs to recover the debt.

 

Details of how to make payments, and how to lodge an appeal against a Penalty Charge Notice, are included on the back of the notice itself.