British Telecom (BT) has been fined for a second time in three weeks after carrying out "dangerous and disruptive" roadworks in London.

The utility company pleaded guilty to four offences at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 06 July. These were:

• Conducting street works without a permit

• Unsafe execution of works

• Failing to serve necessary statutory works notices before commencement

• Failing to serve necessary statutory works notices following completion

BT was fined £3,250 with £1,800 in costs. However, the company was also fined £4,500 with £3,916 in costs for further offences last month and has been prosecuted 41 times since 2010.

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The latest fine relates to work carried out on Victoria Street close to Victoria Station on 26 January 2016.

In passing sentence, the Judge said: "This is not a one-off breach. I can see from records before me that these are regular occurrences despite the large number of fixed penalty notices issued by TfL. I understand no injuries occurred on this occasion but clearly more needs to be done to avoid these embarrassing prosecutions."

Garrett Emmerson, TfL's Chief Operating Officer for Surface Transport, said making sure roadworks are carried out in a safe way in London is "vital".

"This is the second time in three weeks BT has been prosecuted for undertaking dangerous work and failing to provide required Streetworks notices," he said.

"BT is a repeat offender - having failed to manage roadworks properly on a number of occasions. We will always push for the strongest possible action in order to ensure London's streets are safe and free from unnecessary congestion."

(LM/CD)