Bus gate fines make council £2.5m in 15 months

Bristol City Council has received more than £2.5m in fines from the Cumberland Road bus gate

Drivers have paid more than £2.5m in fines over a 15-month period for travelling through a controversial bus gate.

About 60,128 fines were handed to motorists for driving through the Cumberland Road bus gate in Bristol between 1 January 2024 and 3 April 2025. This equates to an average of 131 fines per day.

Signage states only buses, taxis and bicycles are allowed to pass through it.

Bristol City Council said bus gates are installed across the city to help cut air pollution "and increase the number of bus travel options for residents".

According to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by the BBC, the Cumberland Road bus gate fines generated about £2.529m.

That is more than four times higher than the city's second-highest grossing bus gate, which is High Street, at the junction of Baldwin Street. This gate made more than £477,000 in fines.

The FOI also revealed there were 128 attempts at appealing the fines during the same period, however it is not clear how many of them were successfully overturned.

In February, a Traffic Penalty Tribunal adjudicator raised concerns about the signage approaching the bus gate while determining an appeal.

'Offer leniency'

The council has repeatedly defended the signage, arguing it is compliant with the latest guidance and legislation.

Councillor Ed Plowden, transport committee chair on Bristol City Council, said: "It is the responsibility of all drivers to plan their journey appropriately and avoid bus gates.

"Drivers can find details of bus gates in Bristol on the council's website.

"We continue to offer leniency, at our discretion, for those drivers who receive multiple fines in the time between their first incorrect use of the bus gate and getting notice of the fine in the post."

The total revenue made from fines across all of the city's bus gates was £4.7m.