Trouble With Water Works

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Thames Water is fined for unsafe working practices

Thames Water has been fined over £1,000 for illegally blocking a Shepherd’s Bush road and pavement and forcing pedestrians to walk dangerously in the street. 

Thames Water staff carried out work on Cromwell Grove without erecting safety barriers. This effectively blocked the carriageway to traffic, illegally. 

The contractors had also closed the footway but had not provided a safe route around the work site. This meant pedestrians had to walk into the road unguarded to pass the works. 

The workmen also left a jackhammer on the pavement with no barriers around it, causing a dangerous trip hazard to pedestrians. 

At West London Magistrates’ Court last week (Tuesday August 5), Thames Water was fined and ordered to pay costs totalling £1,307. 

The offence breached section 65 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 which requires utility companies to ensure their sites meet a national safety standard. 

Cllr Nick Botterill, deputy leader and cabinet member for environment, said: “We will not tolerate utility companies riding roughshod over the law and jeopardising the well-being of pedestrians. I hope these fines send out a stark message to Thames Water that this kind of behaviour is not acceptable in Hammersmith & Fulham.” 

In March, the council’s network assurance team, which carries out inspections, successfully prosecuted Fulcrum Connections for digging up Coningham Road without permission.

They were fined £1,515 and ordered to pay £450 in costs to the council. 

12 August 2008