Richmond Council

Local council prosecutes BT for endangering lives again

Richmond Council has successfully prosecuted British Telecommunications PLC who will now be ordered to pay £20,310 in legal costs due to their lack of street works road safety precautions.

The prosecution comes after BT operatives used a saw and compressor on Shaftesbury Way in Twickenham and failed to provide road protection, as well as obstructing local residents from accessing their properties.

Furthermore, earlier this year the company parked lorries on a dual carriageway at Hampton Court Road without sufficient safety precautions in order to warn the passing traffic.

Council staff had no choice but to stop the work at both sites when the contractors were found to be risking their lives and the lives of residents and motorists

District Judge Barnes sentenced BT to a fine of £8,000 and ordered BT to pay Richmond Council’s legal costs of £12,310.

Richmond Council Cabinet Member for Highways, Cllr Peter Buckwell, said:

“I hope this prosecution sends a clear message to companies that carry out work in our roads across Richmond. The Council will not hesitate to take legal action against anyone who poses a risk to our residents and motorists. Our officers seek to carefully monitor street works permits and the work as it is carried out.”

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