Glasgow City Council disgraced and fined £80,000 after man struck by collapsing lamppost

A 50-year-old man was standing at the roadside in conversation with a work colleague when the lamppost collapsed, striking him from behind and pinning him to the ground. Overhead cables attached to the lamppost were then snagged by a passing motor vehicle, which dragged the collapsed lamppost over the man.

The incident occurred just after 4pm, on 20 June 2023, on Bellshaugh Road at its junction with Kirklee Gardens and Cleveden Drive, close to Kelvinside Academy. The area was busy with both adult and child pedestrians.

The man sustained severe, life-threatening and life-changing including multiple spinal, pelvic and rib fractures, an open leg fracture, and a fractured left ankle. He spent seven weeks in hospital and has since undergone multiple surgeries, and continues to receive medical treatment. He now has reduced mobility and significant ongoing pain.

Prior to the incident, the injured person retained a high level of fitness and had a very active lifestyle, including regular hill walking and leading a section of army cadets.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) established that the lamppost had structurally failed due to severe corrosion at its base. Loss of steel thickness of at least 60 per cent due to corrosion was measured, with many areas showing significantly greater loss. The lamppost, manufactured in the 1950s or 1960s, was well over twice its expected service life of 20-25 years.

During the last council inspection in March 2022, the column was identified as being in poor condition and scheduled it for replacement in April 2024. However, HSE’s investigation found that the council’s inspection regime failed to identify the extent of corrosion and the immediate risk of collapse. The visual inspections undertaken were inadequate in correctly identifying the condition of the column, the risk of failure and the action required.

The council did not follow established industry guidance, issued by the Institution of Lighting Professionals, by not prioritising the removal of lighting columns assessed as being in poor condition relative to the consequence of their failure.

Following the incident, the council removed other similar lamppost with base embellishments from around Glasgow and has since updated its lighting maintenance procedures.

Glasgow City Council pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The council was fined £80,000 at Glasgow Sheriff Court on 8 January 2026.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Hazel Dobb said: “Mr Shaw sustained devastating, life-changing injuries in an incident that should never have happened. The lamppost that struck him had been identified as being in poor condition, yet inadequate inspections failed to recognise that it was severely corroded and at immediate risk of collapse.

“This case is a stark reminder that local authorities and other duty holders must have effective systems in place to properly assess and manage the risks posed by ageing street infrastructure.”