Under pressure on M74
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Beattock haulier David Hyslop was I told he had to live down the family name by Scottish Transport Commissioner Michael Betts when he appeared at a Dumfries public inquiry
Hyslop, who holds a licence for 18 vehicles and 12 trailers, escaped with a warning because of concern over his maintenance record, a number of convictions and apparent breaches of the drivers' hours and tachograph regulations.
Vehicle examiner Malcolm McNab said that since the licence was granted in March 1997, four immediate and three delayed prohibitions had been imposed on Hyslop's vehicles; two as significant maintenance failures. A delayed prohibition imposed on a trailer came into force while the trailer was still in use and the trailer then attracted a further delayed prohibition.
Traffic examiner Averil Boyle said an examination of tacho charts for February 1998 revealed an apparent 16 drivers' hours breaches by four drivers. Hyslop had also told her he had appealed against a fine imposed by Customs and Excise for the use of "red" diesel.
Hyslop said he was the main transport contractor for the construction of the M74. He had subcontracted some of the work to owner-drivers, and they had taken on the administration and maintenance on his behalf. That had put his staff under tremendous pressure as there were as many as 30 sub-contractors at one stage. Since Christmas they had been using only their own vehicles and the contract would be completed in eight weeks' time, said Hyslop.
He had had a contract with an agency for chart analysis and drivers' seminars were being arranged, said Hyslop. The agency was going to make two maintenance audit checks each month.
Hyslop said the red diesel incident had cost him £2,000. The IC replied that any further such incidents could lead to a loss of his repute as an operator. Hyslop said he had thought he had bought the diesel legitimately in Ireland and he had a receipt for it.