Electricity firm fined for closing Oxford ring road slip road

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 13:02 · Archive

Electricity company SSEN has been fined £600 by Oxfordshire County Council for closing a slip road on the Oxford ring road without a valid permit at Marston earlier in the summer. The company acknowledged working without a permit. A fixed penalty notice of £1,000 was issued, reduced by £400 after payment within 29 days, resulting in the £600 fine. In addition, SSEN agreed to pay £60,000 under the council's new lane rental scheme for occupation of the road.

Council leader Tim Bearder described the unauthorised closure as 'completely unacceptable'. The disruption diverted heavy goods vehicles, double decker buses and significant traffic through single-track roads in nearby villages including Elsfield and Woodeaton. Bearder said the council would make clear to the utility company that 'this must not happen again' whilst ensuring the work is completed as quickly as possible.

Oxfordshire County Council's lane rental scheme was introduced in May to discourage utilities from closing lanes for extended periods. The council can charge up to £2,500 per day for work on the busiest roads during peak time, including weekends and bank holidays. Emergency safety repairs are granted a 48-hour grace period. The scheme incentivises utilities to prioritise off-peak work and complete projects quickly to minimise costs.

How it is being reported

• Utility firm fined for closing slip road without valid permitA utility firm has been fined for closing a slip road on the Oxford ring road without a valid permit.Oxford Mail · 20 Oct, 12:30
• Utility firm fined for closing slip road without valid permitA utility firm has been fined for closing a slip road on the Oxford ring road without a valid permit.Oxfordshire Guardian · 20 Oct, 12:30

In this story: SSEN · Oxfordshire County Council · Tim Bearder · Oxford ring road · Marston

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