A utility firm which caused traffic delays by carrying out unauthorised roadworks near Burnham-On-Sea at the peak of the holiday season has been fined £3,000.
Bristol Water was fined after it went ahead with the roadworks in South Road, Brean on 21st June 2017 despite being asked not to amid concern about high traffic flows.
Bristol Water has been sentenced at Taunton Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to three charges, involving three incidents in Wells, Axbridge and Brean.
The firm has been fined £3,000 and ordered to pay £1,130 in costs and a £150 victim surcharge.
Somerset County Council, which is responsible for managing the road network in the Burnham-On-Sea area, prosecuted Bristol Water as part of its commitment to minimising disruption to the travelling public.
The authority said this week that it does its best to plan ahead and avoid overlapping or clashing works, therefore unauthorised works and road closures make this difficult job even harder.
Cllr John Woodman, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “This prosecution sends a very clear message to anyone who works on the highway that we will not tolerate unauthorised roadworks.”
“We receive around 85 requests for roadworks every single day and consider many factors when approving and co-ordinating these.”
“Here we have three sets of roadworks which were not approved and caused avoidable disruption to the travelling public.”
“This is not acceptable and I’m pleased we have been able to take immediate action.”
The charges relate to the Highways Act and New Roads and Street Works (NRSWA) Act. The breakdown of fines and costs was Highways Act Section 137 charge: £500; NRSWA Section 56 (3) charge: £1,500; NRSWA Section 54 (5) charge: £2,000; Total fines: £3,000; Costs: £1,130; Victim Surcharge: £150. The fines take into account the early guilty plea.
