‘What on earth is a bus gate? It cost me £35’ | Money News

Do you know what a bus gate is?

Money blog reader Greg didn’t – and it cost him £35.

You can let us know whether you’ve heard of them in the poll below, but first, here’s Greg’s email in full…

I was looking for an electric vehicle charging point on the outskirts of Swindon at 8am one Sunday morning in June when visiting the area for the weekend. I subsequently received a letter from Swindon Borough Council issuing a £70 fine for going through a bus gate. Bus gate? What’s that I thought. I know what a bus lane is and avoid them of course, as they’re clearly marked on the road with numerous familiar signs. I asked several friends and anyone else who would listen if they knew what a bus gate was. Not a single person knew. I contested the fine (to no avail) on the basis that there was no traffic, I was not seeking to gain an advantage and no traffic was disadvantaged. However, I ended up paying it (the reduced £35 for prompt payment). Apparently, the blue sign with a bus and bicycle means only they can enter. Bus gate was apparently also painted on the road at one point, but I didn’t notice it as I was trying to find my way around an unfamiliar location. Having researched this I realise that local authorities raise millions of pounds via these fines. Unfortunately they don’t appear to be disaggregated from bus lane fines, (which I have no problem with). However, I do have a problem with the signage and the fact that I don’t think the general motorist knows what a bus gate is. If a sign says “no entry, except…” that would be clearer. I wonder how many people have received bus gate fines, completely oblivious to the fact that they have committed an offence. I’d be interested if you ran a straw poll in your office say, how many people know what a bus gate (no sign of a gate!) is, and what the blue sign with a bus and bicycle means!
Greg

Did you know what a bus gate was before reading? Be honest…