Broadband giant Virgin Media is being prosecuted for alleged safety breaches caused by its huge cable laying operation in Carlisle.

The firm faces more than a dozen criminal charges.

At the city's magistrates' court, an initial hearing yesterday heard lawyers advancing legal arguments about those charges, which relate to residential roads across Carlisle where work was being carried out.

A barrister for the firm, a leading provider of broadband, TV, mobile and landlines, told magistrates that Virgin Media was not yet ready to enter pleas to any of the 14 charges that it faces.

The News & Star published several stories about the street works following comments from the residents living in the affected areas.

Court papers released yesterday show that Virgin Media is being prosecuted under the 1991 New Road and Street Works Act, which aims to ensure that all such work is carried out safely and with consideration for the needs of disabled pedestrians.

The charges all relate to work done on July 31 last year, with prosecutors allocating one count to each of 14 different locations, all in the Carlisle area.

The locations named are:

* Weardale Road, Caldewgate

* Monks Close, Caldewgate

* Dowbeck Road, off Wigton Road

* Beconsfield Street, Currock

* Thirlmere Street, Currock

* Uldale Road, Upperby

* Upperby Road, Upperby

* Embleton Road, Upperby

* Scalegate Road, Upperby

* Kirklands Road, Upperby

* Clementia Terrace, Currock

* Upperby Road, Upperby [a second charge]

* Lund Crescent, Upperby

* Dunmail Drive, Morton

The wording of each charge alleges that as the firm responsible for the work involved, Virgin Media failed to ensure that those parts of the street which were obstructed by plant or materials were adequately guarded and lit.

The charge also alleges that the firm failed to ensure the appropriate traffic signs were placed, maintained, and where necessary operated, as required, having particular regard to the needs of people with a disability.

The firm was represented by barrister John Boumphrey, and the prosecution by Cumbria County Council lawyer Jonanthan Farnsworth.

Magistrates ruled the case should be put before a district judge at the court on May 2.

Disruption caused by the street works prompted comments from Botcherby's independent Cumbria county councillor Rob Betton. He said residents were fed up.

The work was originally expected to last nine months but it went on for longer.