A Cambridge construction company has been fined £100,000 after temporary hoarding from one of its sites fell onto a passer-by walking along the high street.

Margaret Gardiner, 68, was knocked into the street and trapped by the 10-metre long hoarding on 7th July 2015 while walking along the pavement on Bedford High Street.

Luton Magistrates Court heard that building contractor Frazer Stannard Ltd had constructed the site hoarding inadequately. Its workers had been given no details, design or instruction on how to build the hoarding and it was left entirely to the team on the site how to construct. There was no supervision and the hoarding had not been adequately supported, tied back or inspected.

Frazer Stannard Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and to breaching Regulation 19(2) Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. It was fined £100,000 in total (£50,000 for each offence). It was also ordered to pay costs of £2,425.16.

HSE inspector Stephen Manley said after the hearing: ‘This incident could have easily been a fatality and was entirely preventable. Had Frazer Stannard Ltd recognised the work they were doing as temporary works and managed matters properly they would have realised the hoarding was not fit for purpose. Construction companies must learn from this case and plan their work properly ensuring workers are given proper instructions and well as supervision.’