Thames Water racks up £24K fines for dangerous works in one borough

Thames Water has been fined more than £24,000 for carrying out unsafe works in a borough.

Thames Water pleaded guilty and was yesterday prosecuted at Westminster Magistrates’ Court under Section 65 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 for carrying out unsafe works in Egerton Gardens, South Kensington.

On September 30, 2022, Thames Water was carrying out works on a manhole in Egerton Gardens when a Kensington and Chelsea council officer attended the site and witnessed a worker working in one manhole chamber while another also had the cover removed.

The workers failed to fully enclose the works area with a continuous barrier system, allowing members of the public to freely enter the works area, which presented tripping hazards, especially to visually impaired people and any cyclists or motorcyclists that may have entered the area.

The worker had also put himself at risk of harm.

Despite having sufficient equipment to enclose the works area correctly, the workers failed to do so.

Thames Water was fined £18,000 after the successful prosecution brought by Kensington and Chelsea council, and was instructed to pay a victim surcharge of £2,000, plus the council’s legal costs of £4,090.82.

Councillor Cem Kemahli, lead member for planning, place and environment, said: “Our network management officers are working hard to keep our residents and visitors safe by ensuring works are carried out in a safe and professional manner.

“This prosecution demonstrates that we will not tolerate unsafe works on our streets from Thames Water or any other company.

Picture top: Unsafe works in South Kensington (Picture: Kensington and Chelsea council)