SEVERN Trent Water has been ordered to pay more than £43,000 in fines and costs after admitting eight offences involving unsafe traffic management measures in Shropshire.

The cases brought by Shropshire Council included the unauthorised closure of a road in Whittington, where roadworks were carried out without a permit to close the road.

It was one of eight charges against the water supplier, all in relation to work carried out between March and September 2023.

The company was fined at a sentencing hearing at Telford Magistrates Court on Monday, February 12.

Chris Schofield, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for planning and regulatory services, said: “Shropshire Council is responsible for regulating works taking place on our network of roads and any avoidable breaches that disrupt the flow of traffic and safety of the network are taken extremely seriously, as this prosecution shows.

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“All of these offences arose from a misuse of the statutory legislation that, if used correctly reduces the impact of such works on the road users, local communities and businesses, thus reducing inconvenience.

“We’re pleased the court agreed that – given the seriousness nature of the offences in respect of the potential harm to the public – the ultimate responsibility rested with Severn Trent Water, despite their suggestion that it was down to issues with their contractors.”

“We hope this prosecution serves as a warning to all utilities companies, and reassures road users that we will take action against companies that break the law.”

The offences contravened either the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 or the Traffic Management Permit Scheme (England) Regulations 2007.

The total penalty for all offences was £35,510, plus costs of £6002.92, and a victims surcharge of £2,000 – a total of £43,512.92.

Among the charges the company admitted was that it carried out works in Top Street, Whittington, without a permit from Thursday, April 13 until Monday, April 17, 2023.

Severn Trent Water also admitted various charges including failure to adequately sign, light and guard parts of roads, carrying out works in the street without a permit and working unsafely even after being advised of the site inadequacies and asked to stop.

The company also left a road closure in operation beyond specified time and continued to cause disruption and inconvenience to people using the road.