Wessex Water fined for roadworks offences in Somerset
The offences related to works at the A38 Fore Street, North Petherton in July 2025
Wessex Water has been fined and order to pay costs totalling over £13,000 after offences related to roadworks in Somerset.
The company was charged with two offences under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 and the Traffic Management Permit Scheme Regulations 2007 in relation to street works conducted on the A38 Fore Street, North Petherton.
Taunton Magistrates Court heard the water company failed to secure adequate safety measures during the street works on 10th July 2025.
Wessex Water admitted to the offences as well as that on the same date and at the same location it breached a permit condition – excavating into the road when the permit authorised works to the footpath only
Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Transport and Waste said: “It is our responsibility to make sure that utility firms put the safety of the public first when they carry out work and also that they minimise disruption and inconvenience.
“We will ensure that companies are held to account when they do not meet these standards.”
In passing sentence, the Court gave full credit to Wessex Water Limited for guilty pleas entered at the earliest opportunity and accepted in mitigation that Wessex Water Limited acted promptly when the incident was reported, showed remorse and took steps to ensure future compliance with NRSWA 1991.
The aggravating factors were that Wessex Water Limited had previous convictions under NRSWA 1991 dating back to 2018.
The court imposed the following:
Charge 1: fined £5,000
Charge 2: fined £1,500
Costs were ordered against Wessex Water Limited at the sum of £3,921.13 and it was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £2,600.
A Wessex Water spokesperson said: “While we accept the correct procedures weren't followed on this occasion regarding a permit, we take the safety of pedestrians, motorists and our workforce extremely seriously when carrying out roadworks and we do everything we can to minimise disruption to local communities.”