A construction company has been fined after it installed a dropped kerb outside a property in East Sheen without applying for planning permission.

Finch Lockerbie Construction Ltd was convicted in the magistrates’ court last week after it installed a dropped kerb on the highway outside a property on Richmond Park Road in East Sheen.

Lockerbie Construction Ltd did not attend court to answer the allegation of unlawful excavation of the highway, and the magistrates heard the case in the company’s absence.

The court imposed the maximum fine of £1,000 and awarded compensation of £1,953 for the cost of the works to reinstate the footway. Other charges were also awarded, including the prosecution costs and a victim surcharge.

The company is required to pay the penalty within 14 days to avoid enforcement action.

Cllr Alexander Ehmann, Richmond Council cabinet member for transport, streetscene and air quality, said: “If residents want to cross a footpath to park in front of their home, they must go through the right process.

"Installing a dropped kerb involves assessing safety, strengthening the sub-base of the whole pavement area that will be driven over and ensuring that gas and water pipes and cabling below ground are not damaged.

"Ignoring this results in broken kerbs and slabs which are both dangerous trip hazards to local people and cost the council significant amounts of public money to replace.

“This construction company should have known better.”