A business has admitted stealing water in High Wycombe less than a year after its sister company was punished for the same crime.
Go Plant Ltd, which hires out road sweepers, refuse vehicles and plant equipment, is one of four companies that have been ordered to pay thousands of pounds after being caught illegally tapping into Thames Water's network.
The latest incident in High Wycombe happened on July 25 this year in Kennedy Avenue, which is on the new Pine Trees development in Daws Hill Lane.
Go Plant Ltd admitted three offences less than a year after its sister company was convicted for the same crime.
It was ordered to pay almost £6,000 by Reading Magistrates’ Court on October 25. Thames Water prosecuted Go Plant Fleet Services Ltd in Feb 2019 for five identical crimes.
The same court also fined Nick Lang Constructions Services Ltd for a second time, Multi Skills Construction Services Ltd and Galamast Ltd for stealing water in other locations including Reading, Swindon, Wantage and Swanscombe.
In total, the companies, which operated across the Thames Water region, have been told to pay more than £16,000 after admitting a string of offences under the Water Industries Act 1991.
Any organisation which wants to take water from the network must first get a licence and use a special blue Thames Water standpipe.
Failure to do so means not only is the water not being paid for but the amount taken cannot be measured so is classed as leakage.
Stephen Johnston, investigator for Thames Water, said: “This is something we take incredibly seriously and these fines should send a strong message that taking water without paying for will not be tolerated.
It’s incredibly disappointing to see some have not learned their lesson but we will continue to take action against those who continue to break the law.
“Thames Water will always look to work with companies to help them act properly but it’s unfair for them to flout the law while others are paying their fair share.”
In the last 18 months, more than 20 companies have been fined for illegally connecting to the network and taking water.
Any water taken using an unauthorised standpipe is classed as leakage and it is estimated hundreds of thousands of litres are lost every day because of it.
Anyone who suspects water is being stolen from the network is asked to contact Thames Water. To report water network abuse, email illegalconnections@thameswater.co.uk or call customer service on 0800 980 8800.
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Original article can be viewed at https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/18033195.go-
A ROAD sweeper has died after his vehicle plunged into the River Thames during a
clean-
The man, who was in his 50s, was rescued from the icy river by passers-
The tragedy unfolded yesterday morning on the banks of the Thames at Barry Avenue, Windsor, where visitors flock to the promenade to feed the swans.
It is understood that the road sweeper was clearing up leaves and storm debris from the tarmac covered promenade shortly after 9am when he lost control of his lorry and it veered over the edge and into the river.
It is not yet clear whether the man, who was from Wokingham, Berks., suffered a medical episode or lost control of the vehicle as it travelled at 5mph along the normally pedestrian promenade.
Police have informed his next of kin.
Original article can be viewed at https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/10590104/road-
A E Faulks
A Plant
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JW Crowther
JM Clark
Lewis Plant Services
Brush Strokes
Quinn Plant Hire
Tardis Environmental
Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE14 3AH
Hermitage Lane, Mansfield, NG18 5GJ
Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, CH65
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Gildersome, Leeds, Yorkshire, LS27 7HW
Plymouth, Devon, PL34
Shawbury, Shrewsbury, SY4 4EA
Deans Road, Wolverhampton, WV1 2BE
Waters Upton, Telford, Shropshire, TF6 6NZ
Halesfield 21, Telford, Shropshire, TF7 4PA
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