A new trial to assess whether bus journey times and reliability can be improved by extending bus lane hours launches on Monday, 12 October.
The trial will be in force between Milton Road East and London Road, where bus lane times will be extended to operate between 7am and 7pm, seven days a week. Current bus lane times are peak only – 7.30am to 9.30am and 4pm to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday.
The changes will test whether longer bus lane hours can help reduce delays for buses along the route, in turn encouraging and supporting people to choose to travel by public transport and improving the experience for those who rely on buses.
Reliable and efficient bus services:
are essential for getting around the city
encourage more people to choose public transport over the car
provide a vital transport option for many residents who do not have access to a private vehicle
Edinburgh has a great bus service, but more can be done to reduce delays to buses along key routes. Bus lanes that support buses to get ahead of traffic for as long as possible during the day are one way to achieve this.
The trial route is used by several services including the number 44, which Lothian Buses has identified as one of the services most affected by delays and reliability issues outside of current bus lane operating hours. Initial data analysis shows that bus journey times on part of the route have increased by 22% since 2019.
Data and stakeholder feedback collected during the trial will be used to help decide whether the measures should be made permanent.
Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “Edinburgh is lucky to have a first-rate public transport system, which hundreds of thousands of people rely on every day. We want to make travel by bus an attractive, accessible and reliable alternative to the car and bus lanes support that.
“However, travel behaviour is changing and bus demand is increasing, leading to delays outside of traditional peak periods. This trial will help us to assess whether extended bus lane hours can reduce journey times on one of our busiest routes.
“Thanks to the nature of the trial we’ll be able to carry out real-world monitoring of traffic impacts and network performance, alongside feedback from the public.”
The 18-month trial will be introduced through an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO), which provides an opportunity to monitor the effects of the changes and gather evidence before recommendations are made on the longer-term arrangements.
Monitoring analysis will include bus journey times, traffic surveys, parking and loading surveys, business surveys and feedback from residents and other stakeholders. The first six months of the trial also serves as a consultation period.
During the trial some parking and loading restriction times will change.
People are encouraged to check signs and road markings and can find out more about the trial on the Council website.
UK drivers hit with £37.7 million in bus lane fines in the first six months of 2026, new analysis reveals
MoneySuperMarket requested Freedom of Information (FOI) data to reveal the cities issuing the most fines for bus lane and bus gate infringements
More than 1.17 million fines for driving in bus lanes and gates were issued in the first six months of 2026 – the equivalent of one fine every 13 seconds
In the first half of 2026, an average of £200,000 was collected each day from British motorists for bus-related driving penalties
British drivers have been issued more than 1.17 million bus lane and gate Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) during the first half of 2026, generating more than £37.7 million in fines, according to new analysis by car insurance expert MoneySuperMarket.
Though most drivers will be aware of bus lanes, the road lanes reserved for buses, and often taxis, cyclists and motorbikes, bus gates may be more unfamiliar. These ‘gates’ block a short stretch of road to all traffic except buses, rather than restricting one lane. Both bus lanes and gates are enforced by CCTV or automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras and can result in PCN fines being issued for rule breaches.
The analysis, based on Freedom of Information (FOI) requests made by MoneySuperMarket to 77 councils and transport authorities across England, Scotland and Wales, reveals the scale and cost of bus lane enforcement across Great Britain. The data shows the equivalent of one fine issued roughly every 13 seconds – more than £200,000 collected from motorists per day.
The research also reveals which authorities issued the most PCNs across the first six months of the year, with Transport for London (TfL) taking the top spot with 90,511 fines issued. Outside of London, Manchester follows in second place with 77,878 fines issued, while Sheffield ranks third with 59,011 PCNs issued.
Number of PCNs Issued for Bus Lane and Gate Infringements, By City/Authority
Rank
City/Authority
Total PCNs issued for bus lane/gate infringement(Jan – June 2026)
1
Transport for London (TfL)
90,511
2
Manchester
77,878
3
Sheffield
59,011
4
Bristol
56,882
5
Leeds
53,009
6
Birmingham
51,687
7
Southampton
42,216
8
Reading
36,583
9
Liverpool
35,526
10
Coventry
35,265
Manchester generated the most revenue from fines paid for bus lane and gate infringements, with the council receiving over £2.7 million in revenue in the first six months of 2026. Despite issuing more PCNs, TfL generated just under £2.4 million in revenue for the same time, with Birmingham (£2.17m) placing third.
Total Revenue from Bus Lane and Gate PCN Fines, By City/Authority
Rank
City/Authority
Total revenue from bus lane/gate infringement fines(Jan – June 2026)
1
Manchester
£2,726,409
2
Transport for London (TfL)
£2,374,283
3
Birmingham
£2,165,600
4
Sheffield
£1,700,741
5
Glasgow
£1,699,474
6
Leeds
£1,412,740
7
Southwark
£1,409,105
8
Bristol
£1,265,641
9
Edinburgh
£1,186,458
10
Liverpool
£1,166,222
Alicia Hempsted, Car Insurance Expert at MoneySuperMarket, says: “Bus lanes and gates are an important part of our road infrastructure, so it’s important to keep them clear of cars and allow them to flow freely, particularly during busy periods.However, for many drivers, a brief lapse of attention or navigating an unfamiliar street can have expensive consequences.
“PCNs are civil penalties, rather than criminal notices, so unlike offences for speeding or drink-driving, they won’t have any impact on your car insurance. If you do receive a PCN for a bus lane or gate infringement, you should try to address it as soon as possible as fines are often reduced by 50% if they’re settled within 14 to 21 days, though this does vary between locations.
“You should always review the details of the PCN carefully before paying it to confirm they are correct. You can dispute a PCN by contacting the issuing council or TfL, which you should do as soon as possible if you feel it’s incorrect.
“However, if you fail to pay a PCN within the given time period, these can be escalated to a County Court judgment or bailiff action, which could show up on credit checks in the future.”
Local Lib Dem councillors report: We’ve been alerted to major works to resurface the Crewe Toll roundabout and upgrade the pedestrian crossings.
The project will start on Monday 17th August and last for approximately 12 weeks.
The works will be completed via overnight shifts (between 7.30pm and 6.30am) but will require temporary closures of Crewe Road South, Crewe Road North, or the Ferry Road West approach.
Only one of these approaches will be closed at any one time.
Phase 1 will start with the closure of Crewe Road South at its junction with the Crewe Toll Roundabout. During these temporary road closures, traffic on the remaining four approaches will be managed via temporary traffic lights.
A signed diversion route will be in place for each of the closed approaches.
North Bridge fully reopened last night (Friday 31 July), with final completion of the project expected later this year.
Both pavements and traffic lanes will be brought back into use in time for the peak festival season in August, which starts next weekend.
Work on the North Bridge began in 2018 and since then the Category A Listed structure has undergone a complete restoration.
This has included grit blasting and repainting all structural steelwork, restoring and hand finishing the cast iron façade, and installing a permanent access platform for future monitoring and care of the bridge.
The project has also brought significant social benefits through partnerships with local schools and universities, collaboration with charities and community groups, alongside careers support for young people, ex-offenders and people with disabilities.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said:“I’m delighted that we’ve reached this key milestone in the project. This reopening is all the more welcome given the busy time of year, and the wider travel disruption we’re currently experiencing as a result of the fire on Princes Street.
“Make no mistake, this has been one of the most complex and ambitious projects the Council has ever undertaken. When work first began, some areas of the bridge hadn’t seen the light of day in over a century, and few could’ve imagined the scale of the challenge we faced.
“I’m conscious that this has taken longer, and cost more than we initially anticipated. Our residents, businesses and visitors have my sincere thanks for their patience during this time. However, I’m incredibly proud that we’ve successfully preserved and enhanced this cornerstone of Edinburgh’s history, and key transport corridor, for future generations of our city.
“To see the bridge back to its former glory, with the new façade shining in the summer sun, is something we can all celebrate together.”
Rory McFadden, Project Director at Balfour Beatty, said: “The reopening of North Bridge to both traffic and pedestrians marks a major milestone in this complex restoration project and is a significant step towards returning this iconic structure to the heart of Edinburgh’s transport network.
“While there is still work to complete in the months ahead, it will be incredibly rewarding to see residents, visitors and businesses once again utilising the bridge and benefitting from this vital transport link.”
Edinburgh North-Western MSP, Alex Cole-Hamilton, has today contacted the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, Stephen Flynn, urging him to reconsider the Scottish Government’s 2018 decision to restrict the A90 slip roads at the Echline junction.
The restriction has seriously altered traffic movements into and out of Queensferry.
Almost overnight, there was a substantial increase in traffic using Station Road, Bankhead Road, and the B924 – roads that were never designed to accommodate such high volumes of traffic.
Since then, Builyeon Road became the principal route for vehicles entering and leaving the town, which has seriously decreased the safety of the road.
The new housing development in Queensferry at Builyeon Road will cause another diversion at the beginning of 2027, with traffic being re-routed through the residential development and past the new primary school.
Alex has urged the Cabinet Secretary to reverse the previous decision and open the slip roads to all traffic, cutting congestion and, crucially, improving road safety – especially for the young people who cross the road to get to school.
Speaking on the issue, Alex said: ‘The traffic flow in Queensferry has been a burden on residents for too many years now.
Many are having to wait in traffic, with my constituents also telling me how unsafe the road is to cross. This is all while a solution sits ready to be actioned.
Restoring these connections would provide a valuable alternative route for motorists, relieve pressure on the local road network, and reduce the volume of traffic which will pass through a residential neighbourhood and alongside a primary school.
I hope the Cabinet Secretary takes my concerns seriously, and we see a change soon.’
Davidson’s Mains roundabout closed from Monday (13 April) for work to improve road safety. There will be no access for vehicles from Cramond Road South, Main Street or Quality Street.
The city council is working hard to limit disruption and working closely with Lothian Buses to put alternative plans in place for Cramond residents from next week.
A major £3 million Scottish Water project on a key arterial route linking west Edinburgh with the city centre is about to get underway.
Gorgie Road will be closed between Robb’s Loan and Hutchison Crossway for approximately SIX MONTHS from Sunday (25 January 2026).
The existing unscreened overflow is to be replaced by a new overflow chamber with a powered screen to filter out sewer related debris during heavy rain.
Part of Scottish Water’s £500million Improving Urban Waters programme, the project will protect the nearby Water of Leith in Saughton Park.
Senior Project Manager Ethan Gillies Denning said: “We are acutely aware Gorgie Road is one of the key transport routes linking west Edinburgh with the city centre.
“As well as being home to Tynecastle stadium and close to Murrayfield, it is also home to thousands of residents, and crucial for local businesses, schools, universities and emergency services.
“But the road also sits above critical Victorian-era waste water infrastructure that helps protect homes and businesses during heavy rain.
“This project will significantly reduce sewer related debris entering the Water of Leith, supporting cleaner rivers and a healthier local environment for people and wildlife including otters.”
The project is part of Scottish Water’s Improving Urban Waters programme, an additional £500million package of investment to improve the environment and make it more enjoyable for customers to explore their local area.
Working closely with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) Scottish Water has identified priority storm overflows for improvement or replacement for water quality or aesthetic – sewer related debris – reasons.
Under the banner ‘Draining the Rain, Enhancing the Environment’ the investment will help prevent sewer related debris such as wet wipes from entering the environment during periods of rainfall.
Ethan Gillies Denning added: “We have launched a comprehensive campaign of radio and social media adverts to make sure as many as people as possible are aware of the work starting.
“There will inevitably be disruption, but we have worked closely with a range of agencies including Edinburgh City Council and the emergency services to anticipate and mitigate any major issues.
“We would ask people to follow all diversion signs and to allow extra time for journeys particularly at peak times and please be patient.”
The project is being delivered by Scottish Water’s alliance partner, Caledonia Water Alliance and is expected to be completed by July 2026.
Travelling home for Christmas or out and about visiting family can be a hectic and dangerous time on our roads.
Around Christmas, conditions are normally challenging with cold and wet weather making roads treacherous.
The evenings are also darker, with a larger volume of cars. Traffic experts estimate nearly 30 million journeys take place in the UK over the Christmas holidays, as people hunt for gifts, enjoy festive nights out and celebrate with friends and family.
Experts from Tiger.co.uk have named six important steps for drivers to take when travelling over the festive period, particularly if they have kids in the car.
The calendar is normally packed full of festivities that children often need to be driven to, from visiting Santa, to pantomimes, town Christmas light switch-ons and carol services – often driving long distances or through turbulent winter weather conditions.
It’s crucial for parents or guardians to be aware of potential issues to ensure a safe and responsible driving environment for little ones.
Crucially, parents should use an appropriate car seat or seat belt for their child’s age, height, and weight and make sure it’s installed properly, regularly cleaned and is compatible with the vehicle.
According to the Highway Code, children must use a car seat until they’re 12 years old or 135 cm tall, and toddlers under 15 months must be placed in a rear-facing car seat.
Failing to comply with these rules can result in a fine of up to £500 and penalty points.
The Highway Code Rule 98 also warns drivers to make sure objects are secure when loading a car. Christmas presents, juice bottles and toys need to be stored properly before setting off, to reduce the risk of them hurting people inside the car in the event of an accident.
Busy parents or caregivers are also reminded to avoid multitasking while driving and avoid driving altogether if they are too tired over the festive break.
Ian Wilson, car insurance expert and Managing Director at Tiger.co.uk said: “Driving over the holiday season can bring a whole new set of challenges given the unpredictable weather, busy roads and hectic Christmas calendar.
“It also brings unfamiliar situations as more people do late night runs as designated drivers, usual routes can suffer additional congestion due to festive events and Christmas lights and festive spectacles can make for distractions.
“It’s important for drivers to be aware of these additional hazards and safety tips in the build up to Christmas, leaving time to prepare the car, the passengers and ensure they’re not too tired to drive.
“Careless driving can see motorists handed an unlimited fine with three to nine penalty points so it’s best to be aware of the dangers and plan ahead.”
Tiger’s tips for staying safe on the roads this Christmas:
1. Avoid distractions and ensure visibility
It’s important that the driver can see out of the vehicle properly at all times, so presents need to be packed and stored safely in the boot – and not on the parcel shelf. If the car is decorated for Christmas, you need to be careful that it’s not a distraction to the driver and they can see clearly out of all of the windows.
2. Check you’re not too tired
The Christmas period can put a lot of stress on drivers. Organising, packing, wrapping and spending time visiting lots of family members can be exhausting but you should never drive when tired. Anyone experiencing festive fatigue should swap drivers, take a rest stop to recharge or consider public transport.
3. Beware of bulky clothes
Although the winter chill means children are likely wrapped up warm before getting into the car, bulky coats should not be worn in car seats. They leave extra space under the harness, which could lead them to slip through the straps during an accident. To keep kids warm in the car, dress them in thin layers and use a blanket over the harness.
4. Double-check child lock
When driving with children, child locks should also be in use. Children may open the door accidentally while moving – which is incredibly dangerous and could be seen as careless driving and result in a hefty fine and points on your licence. Without a child lock, children can also try to leave the vehicle in busy areas before the parents are ready to help.
5. Car seats are a priority
When driving with young children under 12 years or 135 cm tall, it is crucial to follow guidelines provided by car seat manufacturers and the law, to ensure children are properly restrained. Babies under 15 months must be placed in a rear-facing car seat. Refit and clean the seats regularly to ensure they are secure and free from debris that could hinder the buckles.
6. Be wary of multitasking
Passengers, especially children, can be very excitable when travelling at Christmas time, but it is important for drivers not to get distracted. Whether you are tending to their needs or trying to calm them down in the car, these distractions could lead to accidents. It is important to stay focused on the road in order to remain in control of the vehicle. If children in the car are becoming fussy on long journeys, it is better to pull over and take a break in a safe spot before taking to the road again.
It’s also sensible to add breakdown cover to car insurance policies this Christmas or purchase a standalone product – drivers should check with their insurer to see if they have it already as standard, to avoid paying extra.
MAJOR WORKS TO CREWE TOLL ROUNDABOUT 
