Thames Water fined in West Berkshire court case after permit breaches in Pangbourne

Thames Water is under the cosh in West Berkshire.

In the week that water companies have been ordered to pay back £114m to customers through lower bills after missing key targets, Thames Water Utilities Limited has been ordered to pay more than £10,000 for permit condition breaches following a successful prosecution by West Berkshire Council.

Ofwat, the industry regulator, said that firms are “falling short” on performance measures around leakages, supply and reducing pollution.

It said that following a review, millions of pounds would be returned to households by cutting bills.

Thames Water must return the most money – more than £101m – followed by Southern Water, which must pay out £43m.

Thames Water serves 15 million people with water and wastewater and has been struggling under a huge debt pile.

Utility companies needing to undertake work on the district’s roads need to apply for a permit from West Berkshire Council.

The permit scheme manages when, how and where street and road works take place across public highways. The scheme manages all works to reduce unnecessary disruption to road users.

The hearing at Reading Magistrates’ Court, saw West Berkshire Council bring a prosecution relating to a breach of a permit condition and undertaking works without the required permit.

Thames Water pleaded guilty to the two offences.

The first offence occurred in the centre of Pangbourne between January 13 and 16, 2023 when Thames Water carried out works without ensuring the traffic lights were manually controlled between 7am and 7pm.

As a result, disruption was caused to local residents and other road users with congestion in the local area.

The second breach occurred on Reading Road in Pangbourne between April 23 and 25, 2023.

While Thames Water had applied for the required permit, it had not been granted due to the site’s proximity to a petrol station and a primary school, which required additional safety considerations.

A modification to the permit was requested, specifying that works would only be allowed during the school’s half-term break. Despite not having the required permit, Thames Water proceeded with excavation work overnight.

As a result of the legal proceedings, Thames Water Utilities Limited has been ordered to pay a total of £10,223.02. This sum covers a fine for each of the two offences, a victim surcharge and costs to West Berkshire Council amounting to £3,293.02. Payment is required within 28 days.

Councillor Denise Gaines (Lib Dem, Hungerford and Lambourn), executive member for highways, housing and sustainable travel at West Berkshire Council, said: “The council carefully manages roadworks – working to minimise disruption to residents while allowing utility companies to undertake necessary work.

“We have a well-established permit scheme to manage this but we will take action where utility companies flout these arrangements.

“Fortunately, cases such as this are rare and a last resort for us. Typically, we have a good relationship with local companies and work hard to accommodate their needs and to talk to them if issues arise before or during roadworks.”