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BT fined £10k after council brings prosecution over roadwork safety failings

BT has been fined £10,000 for failing to provide a pedestrian footway and introduce a proper traffic lighting system when carrying out roadworks, following a prosecution by Shopshire Council.

Following the case Shropshire warned utilities companies carrying out work on its roads not to breach the terms of their highways permits, or face possible legal action.

BT was fined earlier this month following work it carried out at Soulton Road in Wem in May 2016.

Officers from Shropshire Council found BT and its contractors were working unsafely, and pedestrians were having to walk in traffic as the footpath had been closed without an alternative walkway being provided.

The officers also discovered that the site was not set up, or work carried out, as had been agreed with the council and this was causing problems to commuters due to the build-up of traffic.

BT was ordered to pay costs and a victim surcharge in addition to the £10,000 fine.

Cllr Simon Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “The BT  incident in Wem was one of a number of recent examples where the terms of a highways permit have been breached, or work carried out unsafely, causing problems for our residents. This also leads to unfair criticism of the council as people mistakenly believe that we are responsible for the resulting inconvenience and congestion.

“We’ll ensure that we do all that is necessary to stop future breaches – and we will take further action through the courts if necessary.”

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