Seven Trent Water Fined For ‘No Show’ A6 Roadworks
Written by HFM News on 23rd January 2024
Severn Trent Water has been fined £5,000 for failing to carry out work on the A6 in Kibworth when temporary traffic lights caused traffic chaos.
Leicestershire County Council has imposed the sanction following the ‘no show’ which saw one side of Leicester Road coned off over a weekend last June.
There were lengthy queues in all directions because of the restriction at the Church Road/Marsh Drive junctions, which was not removed until after the rush-hour the following Monday morning.
Severn Trent Water blamed a ‘scheduling error’ for the mishap.
The council has used legislation introduced to hold utility companies to account for causing unnecessary inconvenience to road users.
County councillor Kevin Feltham from Kibworth welcomed the fine and told HFM he hopes it will send out a clear message:
A lane was closed, but no work took place
Pic: Željko Končarević
The legislation does not currently allow councils to fine utility firms for disruption at weekends, although government is considering amending it so it does, as well as increasing the fines councils can issue.
A spokesperson for Leicestershire County Council said: “Due to the disruption on Leicester Road in Kibworth caused by Severn Trent Water’s temporary traffic lights and subsequent non-appearance, we have issued them the maximum sanction allowed of £5,000 for one working day.
“Whilst utility companies sometimes need to carry out works on our highway, we will take action if this work breaches legislation and causes unnecessary inconvenience for road users.”
A Severn Trent spokesperson said: “We’re very sorry for the disruption that was caused on one day last year in Kibworth by the temporary traffic lights on the A6.
“The lights were delivered so that we could undertake essential works, however due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control this was unable to go ahead.
“We notified our traffic management company and asked them to remove the lights, but unfortunately the lights were not removed within the time limit.
“Once again, we would like to offer our apologies to everyone affected by any disruption caused.”
A lane was closed, but no work took place Pic: Željko Končarević
