ST Water Fined After Roadworks ‘Fiasco’

Highway bosses have fined Severn Trent Water for issues during roadworks in Market Harborough last week.

Temporary traffic lights failed and were not fixed for several hours on Thursday and the works at the St Mary’s Road/Kettering Road and Clarence Street junction also over-ran.

Leicestershire County Council has taken to action against the company and spokesperson told HFM: “Severn Trent Water have been issued with the appropriate fines for their actions.”

Temporary traffic lights failed during the works

Christine Ryder, who walks with a mobility aid, says she was nearly run-over while trying to cross the road when the traffic lights were not working.

She said: “I am pleased they have been fined.  The whole thing was a fiasco and very dangerous for pedestrians.  It is appalling nothing was done to fix the lights for several hours and I hope lessons have been learned.”

The council has not revealed the level of the fine issued to the company, but highway authorities have the power to sanction utility companies up to £5,000 a day for issues with works.

A Severn Trent spokesperson said: “Our team recently carried out work to install a new water connection on St Mary’s Road, Market Harborough. We encountered some delays on site which caused our job to overrun.

“Our team responded promptly and attended the site to resolve the issue as soon as possible, and we’d like to thank residents and road users for their patience and understanding while we completed this essential work.”