Frequently Asked Questions

The following are answers to questions we are often asked about bus lane and tram gate enforcement. 

 

Click on the linked questions below to see the answers.  These links will either take you further down the page for the shorter answers or to other pages where the answer is quite lengthy.

 

 

 

A Bus (or Bus & Tram) Gate is a point in the road beyond which only certain road vehicles may pass. There is no physical gate. A round sign with a blue background and a white border shows the symbols of vehicles that are allowed to pass through the 'gate' (e.g. buses, trams, and cycles). Occasionally there may be an additional plate indicating other vehicles that are also allowed through the Gate. The sign in some cases may also have a grey border. Where a Bus Gate only operates at certain times of day, the sign will normally rotate so that it is not displayed when the restriction is not in operation. Other signs may state the times when the restriction operates.

 

In effect, the gate acts like a 'No entry' sign for most road vehicles and only the vehicles shown on the sign and the associated plate are legally permitted to go past the point where the sign is mounted. Other vehicles may receive a Penalty Charge Notice if they go beyond this point.

 

 

See the section on permitted and authorised vehicles below.

 

 

'Permitted vehicles' are buses, taxis, bicycles, motorcycles* and "Authorised vehicles".

'Authorised vehicles' are defined in The Sheffield City Council Bus Priority Order as:

 

 

Other Council vehicles are not exempt from these restrictions. Marked Police, Ambulance and Fire Service emergency vehicles may also use these bus facilities at any time.  A document outlining exactly which vehicles are permitted/authorised will be put at the bottom of the page shortly.

 

*Motorcycles can use bus lanes but not bus gates.  This is because of recent signing changes to meet Department for Transport and Adjudicator requirements.

 

 

Download the pdf file below for the locations all bus lanes and bus/tram gates along with their hours of operation.

 

Download the two maps of advisory routes for drivers (to Hillsborough and in Hillsborough) at the bottom of the Bus Lane Enforcement main page.

 

Will cameras be used to enforce other bus lanes and tram gates? 

 

Yes, the intention is to roll-out camera enforcement to other bus lanes and tram gates across the city.   Pre-requisites for camera enforcement are that the signs telling drivers not to use the lanes are up to date and approved by the Department for Transport, and suitable cameras linked to the CCTV monitoring room.  Priority will be given to introducing camera enforcement at West Street / Glossop Road.  However, other sites will become enforceable sooner than a scheme can be designed for Glossop Road.   Such sites include Spital Hill.   Advance notice will be given on the City Council’s website before new enforcement sites are added.

 

 

Any revenue from the use of cameras to enforce bus lanes and tram gates will be used for further bus lane enforcement and to repay the costs of setting-up the enforcement system.