A Scottish local authority has been ordered to pay substantial compensation after a member of the public was struck by a collapsing street light, sustaining injuries that have permanently altered his life.
Court Orders Compensation Following Safety Failure
Glasgow City Council has been instructed to pay £80,000 to Colin Shaw, who was hit by a falling lamppost in June 2023. The council formally admitted liability for the incident at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Thursday, 8 January 2026.
In a statement issued through his legal representatives, Digby Brown, Mr Shaw described the profound impact of the accident. "This accident has had a huge impact on my life and I am pleased it has now come to a conclusion," he said. The victim has requested privacy to focus on his ongoing recovery and rehabilitation.
Council Apologises and Announces Major Investment
A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council issued a public apology to Mr Shaw and acknowledged the authority's failure. "We are very sorry for this incident and the harm this has caused to Mr Shaw. We accept the lighting column referred to in this case was not properly inspected," the spokesperson stated.
The council has pledged a significant financial commitment to prevent future tragedies, announcing a £7.5 million investment programme to replace outdated and damaged lampposts across the city over the next three years.
Following the incident, the council has implemented a series of critical safety improvements. These include:
- A more thorough risk assessment process for all lighting columns.
- The development of a new mapping system for managing the street lighting network.
- The creation of a dedicated inspection team.
Prosecution Highlights 'Unacceptable Risk' to Public
Debbie Carroll, who leads health and safety investigations for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, emphasised the severity of the council's failure. "This incident could easily have proved fatal and has irrevocably changed a man’s life," she stated.
Carroll explained that the tragedy was preventable. "It could have been avoided if the maintenance system in place at the time had been more robust in ensuring a full visual inspection of lighting assessed to be in poor condition."
She concluded with a stark warning to all public bodies: "By failing to do so, Glasgow City Council left the public facing unacceptable risk. This prosecution should remind duty holders that such failings can have serious consequences and they will be held accountable."
