IX Wireless and BT Openreach each fined over £40k by Bolton Council

The local authority has issued the fines since the start of this year.

The two telecommunication firms responsible for infrastructure have been fined a total of £40,897.50 since the start of this year through several fixed penalty notices (FPN’s), defects and Section 74 notices, which enables the Highway Authorities to charge if street works are unreasonably prolonged.

An FPN can be issued by the authority for various offences relating to the undertakers permit responsibilities. Examples of these are starting their permit incorrectly or breaching the conditions of their permit. 

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If FPNs are not paid, companies can also be prosecuted. 

However it is not clear what the FPNs were issued for by Bolton Council.

In total, BT Openreach had 26 Section 74 violations compared to IX Wireless, which had five breaches of the order.

The combined cost to both network builder companies sits at a for January 2024 – October 2024.

A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “The regulations governing the installation of telecoms infrastructure are set at a national level.

“The council works closely with providers to ensure these regulations are followed and that any disruption is kept to a minimum.

“In the rare instances where this is not the case, we will exercise the enforcement powers available to us.”

Both BT and IX Wireless have been contacted for comment.

A number of new telegraph poles have been installed across the borough as telecoms companies work to deliver faster broadband to homes in Bolton.

Under a planning law known as 'permitted development', companies can install communications equipment up to 15 metres tall without first getting permission from the council.

Got a story? Email me at Leah.Collins@newsquest.co.uk