Harm Coulthard banned
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• by Mike Jewel High-profile Scottish haulier Hayton Coulthard, associated firm Dunmhor Transport and managing director Duncan Coulthard Senior have been banned from holding an 0-licence for 10 years by Scottish Traffic Commissioner Michael Betts.
Director Duncan Coulthard Junior of the Twynholm, Kirkcudbright-based firm has been given a two-year ban.
The two companies were called before the TC to answer allegations that they had pressurised their own drivers and those working for subcontractors into breaking the drivers' hours and tachograph rules (CM17-23 and 24-30 May).
The TC said that he was satisfied that the companies not only knew full well what was going on, but had actively encouraged it.
"The largest part of the blame for this whole sorry story lies with Duncan Coulthard Senior," said Betts. "He has been in command, and throughout the inquiry he gave me an impression of complacency and a degree of arrogance, as though he held an assured position from which he could not be disturbed."
Betts found it remarkable that Coulthard Senior had not bothered to investigate the offences in detail. "Not only has the good repute of Hayton Coulthard been lost, but in my opinion to a very significant extent," he remarked. "A long established company with a famous name has been found to be heavily involved in unlawful practices, putting at serious risk the road safety not only of its own and associated drivers, but also of all other road users."
The TC has directed that the revocation and disqualification orders against Hayton Coulthard's 20-vehicle fleet and Dunmhor Transport's 10-strong fleet should come into force at the end of June.
Chief Inspector Mike Graham of Cumbria Constabulary said he was "very pleased" with the decision, which concluded a three-year investigation into the firm by his force and the Vehicle Inspectorate. He warned hauliers "both large and small" that Cumbria Constabulary would "vigorously pursue complaints of this nature which put the lives of other road users at risk".
A spokesperson for Highland Spring, which employed Hayton Coulthard as its dedicated haulage contractor, says it is taking time to reorganise the whole of its transport operation following the IC's "disappointing" decision.