BT fined for Somerset road works
BT has been fined £12,000 by Taunton Magistrates Court. The company was also ordered to pay costs of £3,158, plus a £2,000 victim surcharge. The total penalty was £17,154.
BT pleaded guilty to offences under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 and Traffic Management Permit Scheme (England).
The company carried out work last March on Ilminster Road in Ruishton. It had neither an adequate traffic management or a valid street works permit.
Councillor Mike Rigby, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Highways and Digital praised the outcome: “The Council has a statutory duty to co-ordinate street works in and around the county. That’s to protect the public from unsafe street works. Also to minimise inconvenience to road users…. If we’re going to carry out this duty we need utilities onside. Their contractors must uphold safety standards and communicate properly with us. In undermining the process and potentially putting the pubic in danger they leave us with no choice. We have to take action – and we will continue to do so if operators”