BT has been successfully prosecuted by Transport for London (TfL) for a range of roadwork offences on London’s roads.

The prosecutions are part of TfL’s work to tackle poorly planned and managed roadworks, which affect the safety and reliability of London’s roads and cause avoidable road traffic congestion.

BT’s street work offences were committed at four different locations between June and July 2015, and included:

• Working without a permit in Devonshire Road in Lewisham and Jamaica Road in Southwark
• Working in breach of permit conditions in Bath Road in Hillingdon
• Failing to serve a statutory work notice in the course of carrying out works in Colnbrook Bypass in Hillingdon

BT also failed to pay the Fixed Penalty Notices issued by TfL relating to these offences.

The company pleaded guilty to all four offences at court and was fined £2,620 and ordered to pay TfL’s full prosecution costs of £3,500, bringing the total financial penalty to more than £6,000.

BT has previously been prosecuted by TfL for 28 offences since 2010 and issued over 650 Fixed Penalty Notices of which 82 were issued in 2015.

In passing sentence, the Judge said: “I have to give consideration to the seriousness of these offences and impact on road traffic particularly given the number of fines previously issued against BT by TfL for similar offences.”

The prosecution of BT is one of a number of ways TfL is working to improve conditions for all of London's road users. Since April 2013, firms undertaking work anywhere in London have had to apply for a permit before they can begin digging up the roads as part of the London Permit Scheme. These permits ensure that highway authorities coordinate work to minimise traffic disruption to road users.

Garrett Emmerson, chief operating officer for Surface Transport at TfL, said: “Ensuring that roadworks are carried out in a safe manner is vital, especially in a busy city such as London.

“BT are repeat offenders - having failed to manage their 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.”