Thames Water fined over potentially dangerous roadworks
One site’s setup could have precipitated a head-on traffic crash, says Transport for London
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Thames Water has been fined for setting up potentially dangerous roadworks including one operation that could have caused a head-on traffic crash.
The firm must pay £100,000 following a prosecution by Transport for London (TfL).
At one of the three work sites, in Eltham Road near Lewisham, southeast London, pedestrians were forced to move from the pavement into the road to get past.
This led to vehicles moving into adjacent lanes of oncoming traffic and “could have caused a head-on collision”, according to TfL.
And in West Hill in Putney, southwest London, workers failed to install adequate signs or lights, or to guard, the works. Pedestrians and cyclists were also not given ways around.
Safety conditions worsened after Thames Water “repeatedly failed” to properly fix the issues when TfL demanded it, the transit authority said in a statement.
Finally, the water company also failed to provide details of the exact location, dimensions and other engineering information related to work in Purley Way in Croydon, which TfL said had a “significant impact on the road network”.
All three sets of works took place during October and November 2019. Prosecution was delayed by coronavirus.
A Thames Water spokesperson apologised for the failures and said the firm was trying to improve, adding: “We recognise we did not meet the high standards we and our customers expect.”
Glynn Barton, TfL's director of network management, said: “Ensuring roadworks are safe is vital. We are working with Thames Water and other utility companies to ensure that roadworks are carried out properly, safely and with minimal disruption to road users and [that] the company makes significant improvements.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments