Second TfL roadworks penalty for BT

British Telecom (BT) has been ordered to pay more than £13,000 in fines following two separate prosecutions for unsafe roadworks by Transport for London (TfL) within three weeks. 

BT’s latest prosecution follows work carried out on Victoria Street close to Victoria Station on 26 January 2016. 

On 6 July BT pleaded guilty to four offences at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, these were:

·     Conducting street works without a permit

·     Unsafe execution of works

·     Failing to serve necessary statutory works notices before commencement

·     Failing to serve necessary statutory works notices following completion

BT was fined a total of £3,250 and ordered to pay £1,800 in court costs. 

In passing sentence the Judge said: “This is not a one-off breach. I can see from records before me that these are regular occurrences despite the large number of fixed penalty notices issued by TfL. I understand no injuries occurred on this occasion but clearly more needs to be done to avoid these embarrassing prosecutions.”

Garrett Emmerson, TfL’s chief operating officer for Surface Transport, said: “This is the second time in three weeks BT has been prosecuted for undertaking dangerous work and failing to provide required Streetworks notices. Ensuring that roadworks are carried out safely is vital, especially in a busy city such as London. BT is a repeat offender - having failed to manage roadworks properly on a number of occasions. We will always push for the strongest possible action in order to ensure London's streets are safe and free from unnecessary congestion.”