Southampton Council Confirms Bus Gate Cameras for Woolston

Camera enforcement of the bus gate at Cooper's Lane in Woolston will begin on Wednesday 26 August 2026, helping to keep buses moving efficiently across the Itchen Bridge.

The bus gate at Cooper's Lane provides a dedicated link for buses travelling between Woolston and the city centre via the Itchen Bridge, making public transport journeys more reliable through this busy part of the city.

Reports from local people and traffic surveys carried out by the council identified a significant level of non-compliance at the bus gate, with vehicles continuing to use the route despite the restriction being in place for many years. While the majority of people driving are going the right way, the introduction of camera enforcement is intended to ensure fairness through drivers contributing equally to the ongoing maintenance of the bridge through the toll, reduce unnecessary congestion, and support more reliable bus services.

Once the cameras on Cooper’s Lane start enforcement on Wednesday 26 August, for the first month, people who drive through the restriction will receive a Warning Notice, and on their second contravention they will receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of £70 (reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days).  After the initial month period, any contravention will receive a PCN.

Warning Letters and PCN’s will be sent through the post to the Registered Keeper of the vehicle.  To allow enough time between a Warning Notice being processed and received by the driver, there will be period of approximately two weeks after a Warning Notice being activated and a PCN being issued. All money received from PCNs will be used to pay for the upkeep and running of the camera system and any surplus funds will be reinvested into Southampton’s transport network as set out in national legislation.

Councillor Jacqui Rayment, Cabinet Member for Transport, said:

This restriction has been in place for many years to keep people moving safely and efficiently around Southampton but reports from local people and our subsequent surveys show that too many drivers are ignoring them.

"The new cameras are there to help ensure the existing rules are followed, making journeys more reliable for bus passengers, reducing unnecessary congestion and improving safety for everyone travelling across the Itchen Bridge.

Drivers are reminded to follow all signage and avoid entering the bus gate unless permitted to do so.