Thames Water Utilities Limited has been fined £20,000 after failing to put up signs and guard an excavation area adequately, contributing to the injury of person.

There was no signage or provision for cyclists in relation to how to navigate the blockage in Kennington Park Road, London, on May 10, 2021, according to Transport for London.

The utility company, based in Clearwater Court, Vastern Road, Reading, pleaded guilty at Westminster Magistrates' Court on January 26.

Read more: Storm Eunice could ‘endanger lives’ in Reading as alert level raised - Met Office

“We are deeply sorry for failing to comply with health and safety requirements at our work site in Southwark in May 2020, which contributed to the injury of a member of the public,” said a Thames Water spokesperson.

“We pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and accept the judgement of the Court.

“By failing to sign, guard and light our works or provide a suitable and safe route for cyclists, we put members of the public at risk, which we find unacceptable and falls short of the high standards we hold in health and safety.

“We also apologise for the time it took to rectify the issues when we were informed of them.

“We carry out more than 140,000 excavations a year, the vast majority of which comply with safety standards and take our responsibility here very seriously.”

Read more: 'One of Reading's most important junctions' to close for a week

The judge ordered Thames Water to pay another £3,102 in costs and a surcharge to fund victim services of £190.

TfL's Director of Network Management Glynn Barton said: “We work hard to keep London moving and, as part of that, we need the cooperation of utility companies.

“Ensuring roadworks are safe is vital to keeping people walking, cycling and using the road network safe, which is why we prosecuted Thames Water for breaching these important safety rules.

“We are working with Thames Water and other utility companies to ensure that roadworks are carried out properly, safely and with minimal disruption to road users and to ensure the company makes significant improvements.”