A scaffolding firm has been fined £5,000 for erecting scaffolding without a valid permit.
S&J Hall Scaffolding, based in Whitehaven, carried out work outside Costa in Keswick’s Station Street in July.
However, the firm did not have a licence to erect the scaffolding, which obstructed the road.
It was taken to magistrates court by Cumbria County Council because it was in breach of the Highways Act.
Cumbria County Council would like to remind contractors and the public about the importance of adhering to the law in respect to installing scaffolding in a public area following the successful prosecution of S&J Hall Scaffolding in Court last week.
The firm was summoned to appear in court on December 9, but no representatives from the company attended. Magistrates found it was a deliberate act by the company who were aware of the permit procedure and had been warned by phone and email they were in breach but did nothing about it.
The company was fined £5,000, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £2,000 and £961.68 total costs.
Councillor Keith Little, cabinet member for Cumbria County Council’s highways and transport said: “I’m pleased with this result although would prefer such instances of businesses being taken to court did not happen at all.
“The regulations are in place for good reason and the main one being is around health and safety for both the contractor and the public and that is something which we have to take very seriously as the consequences can be great.
“I’d like to thank the vast majority of contractors and statutory undertakers for their co-operation in adhering to the regulations and making our highways a safer place to be as a result.”
