Bristol Water has been hit with a massive fine after major traffic light breaches which caused a number of disruptions. The company pleaded guilty to four offences at North Somerset Magistrates Court and was fined almost £6,000 for its failure to adhere to permit rules issued by North Somerset Council.
In 2021, the utility company was issued two permits - each containing the condition to manually control temporary traffic signals for any works on the roads. But due to its failings, it was prosecuted by the council for breaches on four occasions - at the A370 Bridgwater Road, Bleadon on October 29 and at the A369 Pill Road, Abbots Leigh on November 23, 24 and 25.
Cllr Steve Hogg, the council’s executive member for highways and transport, said: “Our teams work hard with all work promotors to try to minimise disruption on our roads as far as reasonably practicable.
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“While acknowledging roadworks are unavoidable and can be disruptive by their very nature, these particular instances caused unnecessary disruption and delay to road users.”
Bristol Water was fined £1,200 for each offence - a total of £4,800 - and ordered the company to pay a victim surcharge of £480 and the council's full costs of £694.94. It granted Bristol Water 28 days to make the full payment of £5,974.94.
Details of approved works and activities affecting North Somerset's roads can be found here.
