National Grid fined £43,000 for road safety offences

National Grid failed to adequately sign, light and guard part of Mytton Oak Road, Shrewsbury when carrying out street works

National Grid has been ordered to pay £43,000 after admitting 11 unsafe traffic management offences.

The prosecution, brought by Shropshire Council, related to work the electricity distributor carried out in the county between September 2023 and February 2024.

National Grid failed to adequately sign, light and guard work they were carrying out, and provide appropriate pedestrian access, the council said.

The distributor said it resolved issues as soon as it became aware of them, and pledged to improve street-work performance.

The prosecution followed public complaints and site visits by the council's highway inspectors in Shrewsbury, Ackleton and Stoney Stretton, under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991.

The company was fined £3,350 for each of the 11 offences, plus costs of £5,032.38, and a victim surcharge of £2,000.

Chris Schofield, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for regulatory services, said the council took breaches which disrupted traffic flow and safety "extremely seriously".

"We hope this prosecution serves as a warning to all utilities companies, and reassures road users that we will take action against companies that break the law," he added.

National Grid pleaded guilty to charges including failure to adequately sign, light and guard part of Mytton Oak Road, Shrewsbury, Folley Road, Ackleton and part of the road from Stoney Stretton junction B4386 to Rowton junction A458.

A spokesperson from the distributor said it reacted quickly to resolve the issues highlighted by Shropshire Council as soon as it became aware of them.

"We’ve made a firm pledge to work with Shropshire Council and our contractors Network Plus to improve performance in the future," the spokesperson added.