Legal action warning to firms over Shropshire roadworks
Utility companies carrying out work on the county's roads have been warned not to breach the terms of their highways permits – or face possible legal action.
The warning, from Shropshire Council, follows a prosecution in which BT was fined following work it carried out at Soulton Road in Wem in May last year.
The council said utility companies can apply for a permit from Shropshire Council which allows them to carry out work on the public highway.
Permits will specify what work can be carried out, when, and when it must be completed by. To minimise disruption to local residents and road users the utility company must abide by the terms of their permit and must work safely without putting residents at risk, the council said.
Last year Shropshire Council found BT and their contractors were working unsafely on Soulton Road, Wem. Officers found that pedestrians were having to walk in traffic as the footpath had been closed without an alternative walkway being provided.
It was also found 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. Shropshire Council took BT to court and it was subsequently fined £10,000 – plus costs and a victim surcharge – for failure to provide a pedestrian footway and failure to introduce a proper traffic lighting system.
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."
In September last year it emerged gas, water and electricity companies were landed with fines of more than £850,000 since April after failing to complete roadworks in Shropshire on time. The fines related to 268 sites in the area covered by Shropshire Council, where works have gone beyond "the reasonable time-frame".
It also emerged that one in four roadworks carried out by the companies did not meet council standards.
To apply for a permit or for more information, call 0345 6789007 or email streetworks@shropshire.gov.uk
