Cadent Gas ordered to pay £38,000 for roadworks safety offences

Cadent Gas has been ordered to pay more than £38,000 in fines and costs after pleading guilty to four offences relating to the unsafe implementation of traffic management measures – in a prosecution brought by Shropshire Council.

The charges relate to work carried out on Monkmoor Road, Shrewsbury on 9 May 2023 and 10 May 2023, and Cadent’s failure to provide adequate signing and guarding of the work – and failure to provide appropriate pedestrian access.

The case was heard at Telford Magistrates Court on Monday 19 February 2024.

The court said it understood the serious nature of the offences in respect of the potential harm, and agreed that such offences should be punished on the basis of protecting the public.

The total penalty for all offences was £34,000.00, plus  costs of £2,022.80 and a victims surcharge of £2,000 – a total of £38,022.80.

Chris Schofield, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for planning and regulatory services, said:

“These offences arose from complaints from the public, and posed a threat to public safety.

“Shropshire Council is responsible for regulating work taking place on our network of roads, and any avoidable breaches that disrupt the flow of traffic, the safety of the network or the safety of the public are taken extremely seriously, as this prosecution shows.

“We hope this prosecution serves as a warning to all utilities companies, and reassures road users and local people that we will take action against companies that break the law.”

The charges to which Cadent pleaded guilty were:

On 9 May 2023 – failed to adequately sign, light and guard part of Monkmoor Road… and failed to place, maintain and operate such traffic signs as were reasonably required for the guidance or direction of persons using the street.

On 9 May 2023 – failed to provide a safe route for pedestrians in line with the permit conditions.

On 10 May 2023 – failed to adequately sign, light and guard part of Monkmoor Road… and failed to place, maintain and operate such traffic signs as were reasonably required for the guidance or direction of persons using the street.

On 10 May 2023– failed to comply with a permit condition that a route for pedestrians should be maintained at all times, as no ramps were present.