Major network operator fined £38K after pedestrians forced to walk on open roads to avoid ‘unsafe’ worksites

By Adrian Zorzut, Local Democracy Reporter

A major network operator has been fined £38,000 for leaving worksites in an unsafe state in West London. 

UK Power Networks pleaded guilty to three charges under Section 65 of the New Roads and Street Works Act during a hearing at the City of London Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Kensington and Chelsea council, which brought the case forward, said UK Power Networks had failed to seal off sites at Ladbroke Grove, Cornwall Crescent and Southwell Gardens while undertaking works between March and November 2023. The company was also ordered to pay a £2,000 victim charge and £12,793.31 towards the council’s legal costs.

In March last year, council inspectors found UK Power Networks contractors had failed to install a temporary footpath for pedestrians while carrying out works along a walkway on Ladbroke Grove. Inspectors found pedestrians having to walk on an open road just to pass the works.

A month later, inspectors found workers moving topsoil with a grab lorry over a temporary walkway for pedestrians in Cornwall Crescent without marshals in place. Cars were forced onto the opposite side of the road and into oncoming traffic to get by while barriers to seal off the worksite were missing, the council said.

Cllr Cem Kemahli, the lead member for planning and public realm, said: “Utility companies have a legal duty to ensure that street works are carried out safely and protect the public from risk of harm. 

“We will continue to take necessary action against those utility companies who do not meet the safety standards that our residents expect and are entitled to.”

A spokesperson for UK Power Networks said: “UK Power Networks regrets falling short of our usual high street works standards.

“We carry out around 13,700 excavations in London each year to maintain reliable power supplies for homes and businesses and connect and alter electricity supplies.

“Our teams work hard to maintain a safe environment for the public around our street works and we have stepped up our already high focus on compliance, including site audits and briefings.”

Since 2016, UK Power Networks have been prosecuted for seven offences by Kensington and Chelsea council with fines totalling £101,000 and legal costs of £13,656.28.

Since 2015, UK Power Networks have been prosecuted for 15 street works-related offences by London authorities, including Transport for London with fines totalling to £151,500 and legal costs of £15,037.28, according to the council.

Pictured top: Kensington and Chelsea council said pedestrians were forced to walk down an open road in Ladbroke Grove (Picture: Kensington and Chelsea council)