A NEWPORT firm has been fined more than £3,000 for putting up scaffolding without consent and creating an illegal walkway outside Devizes Cinema.

RC Scaffolding of The Yard, Bilston set up the offending scaffolding between May 11, 2020 and June 22, 2021.

The works were started without any licence from Wiltshire Council and no proof of any public liability insurance, the court heard.

Meanwhile the illegal walkway in the road, which did not adhere to highway safety, blocked disabled parking bays and access to public bins.

The court was told that Devizes Cinema paid for the company for the full cost of a licence but that RC Scaffolding did not apply for any such licence, despite repeated requests from the council’s highways officers.

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RC Scaffolding has been fined £3,731 (including costs and compensation) for their activities.

Cabinet member for highways, Mark McClelland said: “This prosecution sends out a clear message that we do not tolerate the risks associated with unlicensed scaffolding being erected on the public highway in Wiltshire, and we will take action.

“This sort of unlicensed work presents a risk to public safety and a nuisance to users of the public highway.

“It is the responsibility of the scaffolding company to ensure they are fully licenced and to provide the necessary public liability insurance, to protect the public.”

The cost of a scaffolding licence from Wiltshire Council is £69 if more than three days’ notice is given, or £81 for less.