Utility company fined for 'failing to minimise inconvenience to public'

The Royal Borough has successfully prosecuted a utility company which failed to work with the Council to minimise disruption to road users.

National Grid Gas (NGG) was fined £2,500 at East Berkshire Magistrates' Court Maidenhead on Friday 27 May after representatives pleaded guilty to the offence of failing in their duty to cooperate with the street authority to minimise inconvenience to the public under section 60 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991.

The prosecution follows a gas leak in Maidenhead Road adjacent to Parsonage Lane, Windsor, in February. Following the leak the Council arranged a meeting with NGG as this is a busy road and works were already in progress on the Windsor and Eton relief road project (WERR).

It was agreed that in order for NGG to carry out its repairs, WERR works would be suspended and NGG works would start after 7pm on Friday 4 February on the absolute understanding that they would be completed by 7am before the rush hour on Monday 7 February.

Even though NGG completed its repairs to the gas main by midday on the Sunday (6 February), it took no action to reinstate the excavation, leaving it open and traffic was control-led by four-way temporary traffic lights with no one on site. The result was total traffic congestion and severe delay to road users, with the reinstatement not completed until about 1pm on the Monday.

Cllr Phill Bicknell, Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Environment, said: "The inconsiderate action of the utility company led to rush hour misery for many Windsor residents, workers and school runs.

"The message is clear - we will not hesitate to take whatever action is necessary to ensure utility companies abide by the rules and minimise disruption to our road users and pedestrians."

As well as the fine NGG was ordered to pay costs of £1,165 and a victim surcharge of £15.

How do you rate this information/service?