BT has received substantial fines following successful prosecutions by Somerset County Council.

BT pleaded guilty at Taunton Magistrates’ Court to several offences relating to roadworks.

The council is responsible for managing the road network and prosecuted the firm as part of its efforts to minimise disruption and keep people safe.

At Hartrow Cross, Bishops Lydeard, BT installed two telegraph poles without a valid street works for which it was fined £1,600. It also failed to co-operate with the highways authority during April 2019 for which it was fined £7,500. The offences meant the council was unable to co-ordinate the works or attempt to minimise any impact on the road network.

At Oake Road, Bradford-on-Tone, BT installed temporary traffic signals which did not comply with safety legislation. This posed a safety risk to the travelling public and site operatives and the firm was fined £10,500.

BT was also fined £2,500 for offences in Silver Street, Curry Mallet. In addition to the fines, a victim surcharge of £170 was applied to all three cases and total costs of £3,352.50 were awarded.

Cllr John Woodman, Somerset County Council’s cabinet member for Highways, said: “We owe it to our residents and road users to take action when it is justified. These offences will have caused unnecessary disruption to the public or put safety at risk. This is not acceptable and we hope these prosecutions will send a clear message to other parties who work on the highway.”