Two utility companies in the South West of England have been ordered to pay fines and costs totalling more that £17,000 for road works offences.

South West Water was hit with a fine of £8,000 for two counts of failing to sign and guard works and another of failing to supervise works at Higher Barley Mount, Exeter, between 22 and 27 November last year, and also of failing to sign and guard works in Barley Mount, in the same period.

The company was fined a further £4,000 for failing to sign and guard sites in Rockbeare on 14 November and Clyst Honiton on 2 November.

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South West Water was ordered to pay a total of £1,925.91 in costs by Cullompton Magistrates on 18 January.

Wales West Utilities was fined £1,500 and ordered to pay £750 costs by Newton Abbot Magistrates on 14 January for failing to sign and guard works at Highweek, Castlewood Avenue and Gaze Hill, all in Newton Abbot, on 21 September last week.

The company was also fined a further £800 and ordered to pay £382.13 costs by Cullompton Magistrates on 18 January for failing to sign and guard works at Dunsford Gardens, Exeter, on 26 November.

Under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, utility companies are legally required to ensure that any part of the public highway they dig up is properly reinstated, and that while works are carried out they are signed and guarded to protect the public and the workforce.

The companies are self-regulating and have a duty to meet the standards laid down in the regulations. Prosecutions taken under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 can attract a maximum penalty of £5,000.

(JM)