Transport for London (TfL) has successfully prosecuted British Telecom (BT) for putting the public at risk during streetworks in the City of London, with the telecommunications giant ordered to pay a record £90,000 fine.
During works at Bishopsgate in August 2017, part of TfL’s strategic road network, BT failed to properly sign and guard the work area and also used the wrong traffic management methods. Despite repeated demands by TfL, BT also failed to take actions to improve the situation, leading to unsafe conditions for road users, pedestrians and cyclists.
On 28 March, BT pleaded guilty to the unsafe execution of streetworks with significant risk to public safety at Westminster Magistrates Court and was fined £90,000 and ordered to pay a further £3,394 in court costs.
It is the second time in 12 months TfL has taken the utility company to court for unsafe working practices as part of its commitment to tackle poorly managed, or unsafe roadworks.
The prosecution follows unsafe work carried out on Streatham Hill, Lambeth on 1 March 2017. In this instance BT failed to properly sign and guard the working area, which meant that pedestrians were able to walk dangerously close to heavy plant and machinery.
