Cash is taken for roadwork delays Fines for utility companies who finish work late have tripled in the last two years. Brent Council fined water, electricity, gas and other utility companies £308,000 during the last financial year. Cllr

Cash is taken for roadwork delays

Fines for utility companies who finish work late have tripled in the last two years.

Brent Council fined water, electricity, gas and other utility companies £308,000 during the last financial year.

Cllr Daniel Brown, lead member for highways and transportation said: "We realize the inconvenience that is caused when a road has to be dug up for utility work and we don't want people to suffer longer than they have to."

The council makes random checks to make sure work complies with legislation, with fines used to improve the boroughs roads.

Festival fun despite the rain

Steel drums, fairground rides and freshly cooked food ensured the rain did not make a top festival a wash out.

Revellers came from across the borough to enjoy the Brent Respect Festival at Roundwood Park in Harlesden on Sunday.

Temperamental weather meant the numbers were lower than usual but a mix of song, dance, food and rides ensured a good time was had by all.

For full story and pictures see this week's Times - out Thursday.

Art in the open for town centre

Residents will be able to enjoy art the alfresco way when Wembley town centre transforms into an outdoor art market next week.

Seventeen artists from Brent and west London have signed up for the free event at the café quarter between Park Lane and Cecil Avenue on Thursday (17).

They will line the street with trestle tables and chairs from 11am to 5pm, offering a mixture of painting, jewellery, glass ware, photography and film.

The council is also hoping to successfully negotiate the use of an empty shop as a temporary gallery for the artists.

For more information go to www.wembleytown.com or phone 020 8937 5064.