What a bus gate is, where the bus gates will be in East Bristol, exemptions and how to apply and how to make sure you don't get a fine for using them by mistake.
What a bus gate is
A bus gate is a short section of road which only buses and authorised vehicles can use. All Bristol's bus gates are in use 24-hours a day, seven days a week. CCTV cameras operate to make sure drivers obey bus gate restrictions.
What the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood (EBLN) bus gates will look like
Bus gates have the words ‘bus gate' marked on the road at the entrance to the bus gate. Some bus gates also have a section of red road surface. Only buses and authorised vehicles can use a bus gate.
East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood bus gate sign example
East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood bus gate locations
There will be three new bus gates in the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood Area:
- Avonvale Road (between Beam Street and Marsh Lane)
- Marsh Lane (between Barton Court and Glendare Street)
- Pilemarsh (between Avonvale Road and Netham Road)
Who can drive through the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood bus gates
These road users can travel through the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood bus gates:
- Buses
- Emergency vehicles
- Bicycles
- Solo motorcycles
- Taxis
- Residents of the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood area whose vehicle has a disabled tax class, you'll need to apply online for this exemption.
- Professional carers who work in homes of people who live within the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood area, you'll need to apply online for this exemption.
- Residents of the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood area who have a Blue Badge registered to their address can nominate one vehicle registered to the same address for an exemption, you'll need to apply online for this exemption.
- Residents of the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood area who are on a low income, who meet the eligibility criteria and need to drive to work. you'll need to apply online for this exemption.
- Parents or carers who live within the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood area who receive a personal travel budget for their child with SEND. We'll contact eligible residents before the trial goes live in 2025
Exemption applications
The East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood bus gates are not yet operational. You can apply in advance for exemptions.
When the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood bus gates are operational they will be managed by cameras with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR).
If your exemption application is successful, your vehicle will be given a digital exemption. You won't need to display anything in the vehicle.
Exemptions are valid for one year from the date of your application. You'll need to reapply every year.
You can apply online for these exemptions:
- Disabled Tax Class
- Professional Carers
- Blue Badge holders
- Low Income
Apply for Disabled Tax Class, Professional Carers or Blue Badge Bus Gate Exemption
Apply for Low Income Bus Gate Exemption
pdf East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhoods Bus Gate Exemptions Terms and Conditions(231 KB)
Fines
You could be fined if you do not obey the signs at bus gates.