Thames Water has been ordered to pay more £100,000 for providing false notices and forcing pedestrians onto a busy West London carriageway.
The water company was fined £96k for a series of failures including not submitting a start notice and displaying a permit number at works in Marloes Road in Kensington. It will also pay a £2k victim surcharge and £20,623 to cover Kensington and Chelsea Council’s costs.
The West London council prosecuted Thames Water after inspectors found a number of safety hazards at work sites across the borough. This included failing to provide a safe alternative route for pedestrians, blocking footways and failing to co-operate with the council.
Inspectors visited a site in Pembroke Walk and found it hadn’t been fully closed off. Thames Water workers had also blocked the footway, forcing pedestrians to walk out into a busy carriageway.
The company installed an illegal road closure in Walton Street and provided false notifications of immediate street works in Walton Street, Ladbroke Grove and King’s Road.
The company was found guilty of seven offences and sentenced at City of London Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, May 13. The water company was found guilty of charges under Section 60, Section 65 and Section 74 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, and Regulation 20 of The Traffic Management Permit Scheme (England) Regulations 2007.
Last year, Thames Water pleaded not guilty to a charge for unsafe works in Marloes Road but was found guilty. They were found not guilty of four other charges. The company had also previously pleaded guilty to six further charges and was ordered to pay the fine and additional costs totalling £118,623 during the hearing.
Councillor Johnny Thalassites, Lead Member for Environment and Planning at Kensington and Chelsea Council, said: “We work hard in this borough to protect our amazing spaces and keep our streets safe. This prosecution sends a clear message to all companies that prioritising safety is non-negotiable in Kensington and Chelsea.
“Council officers are diligent and proactive, visiting work sites regularly to make sure works are carried out safely are properly authorised. Despite previous warnings, Thames Water failed to take advice and disregarded the law.”
A Thames Water spokesperson said: “On Tuesday, May 13 we were sentenced for breaches of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991. We’re sorry for not meeting the required standards on these occasions.”
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