Glasgow City Council fined £80,000 after military veteran struck by collapsing lamppost

The 50-year-old man, a keen hill walker, was standing at the roadside talking to a work colleague when the lamppost collapsed and struck him, a court in Glasgow heard.

He was pinned 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 happened around 4pm on near to Kelvinside Academy school, with many adult and child pedestrians around as it was a school day.

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.

HSE Science Division used an arm scanner to gain a detailed understanding of the level of corrosion in the lamppost (pictured above).

HSE's Science Division used an arm scanner to gain a detailed understanding of the level of corrosion in the lamppost.

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 another similar lamppost with base embellishments from around Glasgow and has since updated its lighting maintenance procedures.

Glasgow City Council, of City Chambers, George Square, Glasgow, G2 1DU, 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, investigating HSE inspector Hazel Dobb said: “This incident in which a man sustained devastating, life-changing injuries 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.”

The man, who sustained severe, life-threatening and life-changing including multiple spinal, pelvic and rib fractures, and a fractured left ankle, spent seven weeks in hospital and has since undergone multiple surgeries.

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

He now continues to receive medical treatment, has reduced mobility and significant ongoing pain.