British Telecom (BT) has been forced to pay out almost £8,500 for causing disruption on London’s roads and compromising pedestrian safety during work carried out between January and March this year.

Transport for London (TfL) successfully prosecuted the telecoms operator, which pleaded guilty, over unsafe street works on Brixton Road, as well as failing to serve necessary statutory works notices following the completion of work on Clapham Road.

A lack of proper planning and safety measures during the work meant that pedestrians were forced to walk on the carriageway while workers just stood and watched.

Passing sentence at Westminster Magistrates Court on June 22, the judge said the work had “clear safety failings” before ordering BT to pay a £4,500 fine and £3,916 in prosecution costs.

They added: “I am not impressed. Even the most basic steps were taken to put proper measures in place to protect the public. I hope lessons are being learnt."

Garrett Emmerson, TfL's chief operating officer for surface transport, labelled BT as “London's worst roadworks offender, repeatedly disrupting Londoners with poorly planned, badly managed and sometimes dangerous roadworks”.

He concluded saying that TfL will continue to pursue the toughest penalties for utility companies that cause avoidable traffic congestion.