London’s Roads Get Their Own Adversary – Vodafone Hit With Ninth Fine in Two Years
Transport for London (TfL) made a striking move in court yesterday, ruffling the feathers of the telecom titan Vodafone for the nine‑th time over the past two years. The move underscores TfL’s vow to keep London’s streets as smooth as possible, even when mobile phones ring.
Why the Tumult?
It all spun out from a single slip-up on Archway Road back in May 2022: Vodafone failed to put up the required streetworks notices at the start and at the end of their project. These notices aren’t just bureaucratic fluff – they’re the lifeline that lets TfL dodge overlapping dig‑ups, keep traffic flowing, and keep utility companies playing nice.
What Went Down in Court
- Fine: £3,340 for the missing notices
- Prosecution costs: £2,750 that Vodafone had to cough up
- History: This is the third time Vodafone has been sanctioned for this very offense since 2010
At the Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Vodafone admitted the gaff and was given the penalty.
Commentary from the Front Lines
Garrett Emmerson, TfL’s Chief Operating Officer for Surface Transport, waved off the incident with a firm tone:
“These infractions sabotage our coordination plans. We’ll keep pushing for the toughest penalties on companies that get their act wrong. London’s roads are our priority – we want to keep them clear, reduce congestion, and give everyone a breath of cleaner air.”
In other words: No more “oops” on the pavement, folks.
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