Severn Trent fined for late roadworks that shut Ellesmere Road
A utilities company has been ordered to pay more than £8,000 after a Shrewsbury road stayed closed during rush hour, causing disruption for hundreds of motorists.
Severn Trent pleaded guilty to offences under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 and Traffic Management Permit Scheme (England) Regulations 2007 at Telford Magistrates Court earlier this month.
The offences were in relation to work to install a water main on Ellesmere Road on September 18-19 last year.
The works failed to comply with regulations, resulting in the main commuter route staying shut during peak rush-hour traffic.
The road closure was required to be removed by 6am, but remained in place until 9.30am - causing considerable disruption to commuters and residents and leading to a number of complaints.
Severn Trent Water Ltd was fined a total of £4,000 for the offences and ordered to pay £4,476.76 costs and a £170 victim surcharge.
At the time, a Severn Trent spokesman apologised for the congestion and said the works overran due to temporary traffic nights not being available.
Steve Davenport, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways and parking, said: “This extended road closure during morning peak traffic hours caused severe disruption and generated a large number of complaints.
"Shropshire Council is responsible for regulating works taking place on our network of roads and any avoidable breaches that disrupt the flow of traffic and safety of the network are taken extremely seriously, as this prosecution shows.”
