The Chamber, through its Transport & Infrastructure policy committee, has written an open letter to Lancashire County Council in relation to the Preston Bus Gates fines.
After receiving several letters of concern from Preston-based businesses and Business Improvement District levy payers, the issue was discussed at committee level before a letter was sent to the county council.
Fines exceeding £3.7m on just one bus gate along have been collected by the authority and then distributed county-wide, meaning the city misses out as the funds are not ring-fenced. You can read the open letter here Chamber of Commerce letter – Bus Gates – February 2026
Preston bus gates has received a lot of media attention since the publication of the open letter.
It suggested a number of possible alternatives to the fines and installing better signs for motorists so they are aware of the penalties, as well as limiting the hours the bus gates are in operation.
In response, LCC said the bus gates provide “priority to buses, safer routes for cyclists and essential transport links” for the city and withheld information regards how much funding is allocated to Preston. It also stated the bus gates would remain in operation 24/7 and signage would not be changed.
