ONE OF Basingstoke's main electricity suppliers has been fined thousands of pounds for failing to follow safety regulations at roadworks in the town and elsewhere in Hampshire.

Magistrates ordered Scottish and Southern Energy to pay £800 for not adequately guarding works or placing and operating signs on the Winchester Road at the Sainsbury's roundabout in Kempshott in February of this year.

The company was then fined £1,400 for failing to adequately guard works, place traffic signs at, and reinstate the street after, works on the Winchester Road at the Brighton Hill Roundabout.

SSE was also fined another £6,800 for similar problems in Winchester, Micheldever and Chandler's Ford, and ordered to pay £1,850 in costs to the council.

"The Highways Authority doesn't take this prosecution lightly," said Katy Woodhouse, representing Hampshire County Council as the prosecuting authority.

"It has in its mind the safety of the road users, both pedestrians and drivers.

"They should have enough warning and be adequately protected from works which are going on."

James Laughland, pleading guilty on behalf of SSE, said the company had hired sub-contractors MP Burke for the particular areas where problems had occurred, and that firm had in turn paid sub-contractors Hollerans to carry out the works.

He added that the electricity firm had responded quickly to correct the failings once it was notified by the council.

Passing sentence, the justices took into account the early guilty pleas and quick action taken by SSE.

However, they added: "This showed lack of commitment to see that regulations were operated. It was fortunate no injuries or accidents were caused during this time."