Shoddy work by Thames Water lands them fines for ‘unsafe practices’ in KC
By Adrian Zorzut, Local Democracy Reporter
Thames Water has been fined £67,000 for leaving work sites ‘unsafe’ across Kensington and Chelsea after the local council took the firm to court.
The water giant was found guilty of four charges relating to site safety and another of failing to cooperate with the local authority, which brought the case forward.
The judge at Westminster Magistrates’ Court also ordered Thames Water to cough up an extra £12,000 to cover the council’s legal costs and a victim surcharge during a hearing on Friday.
Thames Water said it was sorry the company and its contractor had not met the required standards on this occasion.
Kensington and Chelsea council compliance officers said they found contractors working on behalf of Thames Water using dodgy practices at Park Walk, First Street, Burnaby Street and Old Brompton Road between January and July last year.
They said contractors failed to seal off work areas, which contained open excavations, mechanical equipment and power tools.
They also accused Thames Water of carrying out repairs under the wrong work category. They said the jobs were classified as immediate works when they should have been planned works. The council argued this impacted its ability to carry out its statutory duty of coordinating works.
The judge sentenced the company for five offences and it was fined a total of £67,000. Thames Water was found not guilty of four other charges brought by the council.
Cllr Cem Kemahli, lead member for planning and public realm at the council, said: “Today’s prosecution sends out a clear message to those who carry out unsafe street works in the borough and this fine serves as a reminder to all companies that safety must always come first.
“We are disappointed that Thames Water were found not guilty of four other charges, but the council may consider appealing the decision for Thurloe Square.
“We expect the highest standards from companies working on our streets and will continue to take action against those who disregard the law and put members of public at risk.”
During four separate visits in 2023, inspectors found an open excavation in the road in Old Brompton Road on January 11 which prevented two-way traffic and contractors using a powered disc saw and an open excavation without a continuous barrier system in place at Park Walk on January 25.
They also found an open excavation without a continuous barrier system in place along First Street on May 31 and contractors operating a powered disk saw and an open excavation without the site being properly sealed off at Burnaby Street on July 13.
A Thames Water spokesman said: “Ensuring the health and safety of our staff, customers, and the local communities in which we work is our top priority. We always aim to work collaboratively with councils to minimise disruption when work takes place.
“We’re sorry for not meeting the required standards on this occasion, in the course of street works done by a contractor working on our behalf.”
Since 2012, London authorities have prosecuted Thames Water for 98 offences relating to street works totalling £684,210 in fines and been ordered to pay the authorities’ costs of £96,052.19, according to Kensington and Chelsea council.
Pictured top: Inspectors found open excavations not being properly sealed off from the public along First Street (Picture: RBKC)