Transport for London (TfL) successfully prosecutes utility company for causing danger to London’s road users and breaching permit

Virgin Media and their contractor McNicholas have been fined for unsafe working practices causing danger and delays to London's road users.

Virgin Media and McNicholas were made to pay more than £11,000 after pleading guilty to all three offences. Transport for London (TfL) has yet again successfully defended the rights of all of London's road users from unsafe working and unnecessary delays and disruption caused by utility companies.

On 21 May 2014, Westminster Magistrate's Court fined Virgin Media and its contractor McNicholas over £6,500 following a guilty plea to three offences on Chertsey Road in the London Borough of Richmond. The seriousness of the offences led the court to issue the maximum possible fines. As well as the maximum fine, Virgin Media and McNicholas were made to pay the legal costs of £5,040, bringing the total to £11,705.

Virgin Media pleaded guilty to two offences committed on Chertsey Road, Twickenham in February 2014. These included carrying out unsafe working practices and breaching permit conditions, namely excavating the entire width of Chertsey Road. Virgin Media's contractor, McNicholas, also pleaded guilty to a breach of permit conditions.

In passing sentence the judge stated she was 'horrified by the sloppiness of the works, and the danger and severe disruption that they caused'.

For more information go to:

http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/news.nsf/articles/Virgin+Media+and+unsafe+McNicholas+fined+for+unsafe+working+practices+04062014121500