Telecommunications giant BT has been ordered to pay more than £10,000 for putting public safety “at significant risk” while carrying out works near a Hook primary school.

The company was ordered to pay the funds after a surprise visit from an inspector in May found breaches at a set of works near St Paul’s Primary School, in Hook Road.

They included “poor signing, lighting and pedestrian guarding as well as incorrect traffic control”.

Representatives from BT pleaded guilty to carrying out unsafe works at Westminster Magistrates Court on Wednesday, November 16.

Passing sentence, the Magistrate said: "We appreciate the works are often subcontracted, but BT must assume responsibility for the shoddy manner of these works, particularly in Hook Road where the works were very close to a primary school.

“BT must continue to work with its contractors to ensure improvements.”

TfL has prosecuted BT for 40 offences since 2010 and issued more than 900 fixed penalty notices, of which more than 200 were issued in the last year.

Earlier this week, London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced plans to lobby the Government for greater power in managing road works.

Cllr Phil Doyle, cabinet member for highways and transport, at Kingston Council, said: "Our streetworks inspectors are there to protect both those carrying out the work and also the general public passing by construction sites.

“This sends a clear message to BT and anyone else who undertakes works on our highway, no matter who they are, we won't tolerate unsafe and poorly planned activity."

An inspector had also found breaches in Haringey a month earlier, with BT accounting for a third of all successful prosecutions by Transport for London (TfL) against utility companies since 2010.  

BT was fined £7,000 for the two offences and ordered to pay £3,570 in court costs.

Since 2010, the company has been fined a total of £42,270 for various offences, including four times for dangerous and disruptive works since the beginning of this year.

Garrett Emmerson, TfL’s chief operating officer for surface transport, said: “Extra care should always be taken around roadworks, not just for those working on site, but for members of the public passing by.

“It is vital companies such as BT ensure safety on site and we will always push for the strongest possible action against those companies who put the public at risk.”