Published: Monday 20 April 2026
On Monday 20 April, following a hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court, Thames Water was fined £10,000 for carrying out unsafe works in Seymour Walk.
Serious safety failures
The Council’s street works officers visited the works site in Seymour Walk in July 2025 and found serious safety failures at the site. The works site had not been properly secured, and no pedestrian provisions were in place to allow the safe passage of pedestrians around the works. Thames Water was instructed to correct the safety defects but failed to do so.
The next day
When officers returned the following day, operatives had again failed to fully enclose the works area with a continuous barrier system. The footway had been closed without a safe and accessible alternative route being properly provided. A ramp had been installed upside down, exposing its rough underside rather than the intended walking surface, making it unsuitable and potentially unsafe for use.
Beau Stanford-Francis, executive director of environment and neighbourhoods, said:
“Utility companies have a clear legal duty to ensure that works on the highway are carried out safely and responsibly. Members of public should never be placed at risk because basic safety requirements have been ignored.
“The Council expects the highest standards from companies working on our streets to minimise disruption. Where those standards are not met, we will not hesitate to take action.
“This prosecution reflects our commitment to hold companies accountable and ensure our streets remain safe for everyone”.
Fines in 2026
In January 2026, Kensington and Chelsea Council successfully prosecuted and fined Thames Water for several other street works offences at City of London Magistrates’ Court bringing the total to four fines this year.