Bus lane fines on single street total £225,000

Bus lane penalty charges given to drivers on one street in Doncaster accounted for almost a quarter of all traffic fines across the borough, figures show.

Penalty charge notices (PCN) raised £225,800 in 2025/26 for breaches on Waterdale in the town centre, where CAST Theatre, Doncaster Civic Office and Waterdale Shopping Centre are located.

A freedom of information request to City of Doncaster Council found 7,473 PCNs were issued on Waterdale, with 99% of these bus lane violations.

Dan Swaine, executive director of place at the council, said it was "crucial" that bus lanes were kept clear, with "ample" road signs to advise motorists as they approached the restricted areas.

"Our city centre bus lanes help to ease congestion, keep public transport services moving, ensure that emergency service vehicles can get where they need to go and, most important, improve road safety," he said.

"We urge residents to please follow the rules."

Both ends of Waterdale are split by a bus lane, where the only other authorised vehicles are bicycles, on-duty emergency vehicles, taxis and private hire vehicles.

The fines accounted almost a quarter of the £965,404 generated from violation fines across the borough, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

£1.2m of income was received from PCNs issued across Doncaster the previous year.

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