British Telecom prosecuted for second time in three weeks for dangerous and disruptive work

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

It is one of two utility companies prosecuted by TfL within a three week period after Vodafone was ordered to pay more than £8,000 following dangerous and disruptive work in Tooting Bec on 29 June.

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.`

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

• Details surrounding BT's prosecution on 22 June can be found here: tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2016/june
• Information surrounding Vodafone's prosecution on 29 June can be found here: tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2016/july
• Londoners can report disruptive or badly managed roadworks, as well as road defects such as potholes and damaged footpaths, by visiting reportit.tfl.gov.uk. Any enquiries received will be sent directly to the relevant Highway Authority (TfL or a London borough) responsible, ensuring that direct and fast action can be taken
• For more information about the wider work TfL is carrying out to keep London moving, please visit tfl.gov.uk/roads.
• The below table sets out the number of times TfL has successfully prosecuted utility companies since 2010: