main content BT guilty of substandard road repairs

The national company British Telecommunications plc (BT) has pleaded guilty to 86 offences mainly relating to substandard road repairs. The company was fined £19,650 and ordered to pay costs of £28,000 at Bromley Magistrates Court this Tuesday. This is the Council’s sixth successful prosecution of BT for offences under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 and underlines the commitment to ensure that roads and pavements are safe to use and repaired properly.

“Our roads and pavements are a valuable asset and we need to ensure they are maintained to a high level. Substandard repairs reduce the long-term life of the roads. It is therefore important to rectify these issues as we do not want Council tax payers potentially footing the bill. We need good quality reinstatements that do not pose a danger to the public” said David Lambert, the Council’s Streets Works Manager.

The charges related to poor workmanship and incorrect materials used to repair holes. Also, BT failed to complete work on time and did not cooperate with the Council by ignoring requests to remedy poor workmanship. Other charges related to the lack of barriers and signs around the BT excavations causing dangerous situations for pedestrians and drivers. One single case received a fine of £750. This fine related to a site at Crofton Road, Orpington in August 2005. Works were not guarded-off correctly and a works vehicle was parked totally on the footpath forcing pedestrians into the on-coming traffic.

District Judge Carr, who heard the cases, said in his summary, that BT should directly supervise more of their work and ensure that adequate training was given to all staff on the requirements of the law.

Residents can report their concerns about utility ‘road works’ to David Lambert, the Council’s Streets Works Manager on 020 8313 4933.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• The New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 sets out the procedures and guidelines that all utility companies need to adhere to when placing or maintaining their equipment on the highway. The Act and associated Codes of Practice cover the notification requirements, the safety to highway users and the standards required of the reinstatement of all excavations on the highway. 
• To date, the Council has taken the following action against British Telecommunications plc:
  
  1. September 2005 - British Telecommunications plc (BT) was fined a total of £37,750 for 80 offences.
  2. November 2004 - British Telecommunications plc (BT) was fined a total of £41,400 for 49 offences.
  3. November 2003 - British Telecommunications plc (BT) pleaded guilty to 11 offences and was fined a total of £5,600 with costs being awarded to the Council of £8,450.
  4. September 2002 - British Telecommunications plc (BT) pleaded guilty to 24 offences and was fined a total of £16,500.
  5. January 2001 - British Telecommunications plc (BT) pleaded guilty to 6 offences and was fined £4,500 and £2,500 costs. 
  
• The charges relate to offences occurring between June 2004 and December 2005. 
• For media enquiries, please contact Amy Bevins, Strategy Development Officer, on 020 8313 4738, or David Lambert, Street Works Manager on 020 8313 4933 or email amy.bevins@bromley.gov.uk.