Grocer fined £1000 for water pipe leak on pavement
By poppy_smith | Tuesday, February 05, 2013, 20:37
A Tottenham grocer has been ordered by Highgate Magistrates to pay fines and costs of £1,050 for allowing water pipes to discharge onto the pavement.
The owners of West Green Halal Meat and Grocers Limited of 27 West Green Road, Tottenham, N15 were found guilty last week of failing to comply with a notice to fix the pipes and stop water spilling into the street.
The shop had two pipes to the side of the property that ran rainwater from the gutter onto the pavement.
Cllr Nilgun Canver, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: "Not only do leaking pipes degrade the pavements but they can make them slimy and dangerous. During this recent wintry weather leaking pipes like this can be lethal if the water turns to ice and someone slips on the pavement. Our officers gave the owners ample time to deal with this matter but they failed to take it seriously. Had they done so they could have avoided this big fine."
A Neighbourhood Action Team (NAT) officer noticed the water and told the owners that this was an offence and that they must fix the leaking down pipes to discharge in an appropriate place.
It was only after the owners failed to act on this advice and further warning letters, that the council took enforcement action.
On 16 January the owners were found guilty under section 163 of the Highways Act 1980 and were ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £1,050.
The council has explained that continued failure to comply with the notice after prosecution will result in further charges being brought.
