Water Firm Could Be Fined £5,000 After ‘No Show’ Roadworks On A6 In Kibworth

Severn Trent Water could be fined up to £5,000 after ‘no show’ roadworks caused traffic chaos on the A6 in Kibworth over the weekend.

Highway bosses are looking to use legislation which was introduced to hold utility companies to account, after temporary traffic lights were not removed when they should have been.

The water company has apologised for what happened, saying a ‘workforce scheduling error’ led to no workers turning up, despite one lane of the road being coned off at the Church Road/Marsh Drive junctions, which caused lengthy queues and frustration for drivers on Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning.

The firm was granted a permit to carry out work until 5pm on Sunday, but did not remove the traffic lights until after Monday morning’s rush hour.

A spokesperson for Leicestershire County Council said: “We’re very aware of the complaints about the traffic situation in Kibworth over the weekend.

“We’re now considering our next steps which, subject to working through a complex set of conditions, could result in a financial penalty being imposed on Severn Trent.

“The maximum financial penalty, which the legislation allows in these circumstances, is £5,000 a day and we’re seeking to use the legislation to its fullest effect.”

‘No show’ roadworks on the A6 in Kibworth 

A Severn Trent spokesperson said: “Following a review, we have determined the traffic issues on the A6 in Kibworth were as a result of workforce scheduling error for which we are incredibly sorry.

“We understand the impact and frustration this has caused locally.  We always work hard and endeavour to minimise the impact of any work that involves a road closure and we apologise to anybody impacted during the weekend and in to Monday.

“We’d like to reassure people that every effort will be made to reduce traffic management in this area when the work is rescheduled as we recognise how critical this route is.  We will communicate as widely as possible before the work takes place so people can plan in advance.

“Again, please accept our apologies for the disruption caused by the scheduling error.”