Virgin Media and unsafe McNicholas fined for unsafe working practices

4 Jun 2014 12:36 PM

Virgin Media and contractor McNicholas fined for unsafe working practices causing danger and delays to London’s road user 

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’.  

It is the latest in a series of successful prosecutions by TfL as it works to reduce unnecessary roadworks to improve traffic flow and conditions for all London's road users.

Earlier this month, TfL successfully prosecuted Virgin Media for five offences on Croydon Road in the London Borough of Sutton, including unsafe working practices and permit breaches.  

Leon Daniels, Managing Director of Surface Transport at TfL, said: “In a frustrating case of déjà vu, this is the second successful prosecution of Virgin Media in as many months.   Utility companies must ensure that any disruption caused by roadworks is minimised and the most stringent safety is upheld. As we have demonstrated time and time again, we will prosecute those who flout this.”

The prosecution of Virgin Media is one of a number of ways TfL is improving conditions for all of London’s road users.

As of April 2013, firms undertaking work anywhere in London have to apply for a permit before they can begin digging up the roads thanks to the London Permit Scheme.  

London's Lane Rental Scheme, launched by the Mayor of London and TfL on 11 June 2012, reduces road users delays by encouraging utility companies to avoid digging up the busiest roads at peak traffic times.

Since then, there has been over a 50 per cent reduction in peak-time utility roadworks at traffic hotspots.  

TfL is leading the way for works promoters, including utility companies, by avoiding incurring Lane Rental charges on 99 per cent of its works undertaken in Lane Rental locations.  

Last year, TfL successfully prosecuted Thames Water for nine road works offences and Cable & Wireless for one offence of working in breach of permit conditions and causing significant road disruption as a result.