Haulier told to hush up
Page 15
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
II A Scottish haulier based at Muir Street, Kirriemuir for 16 years has been forced to change his schedules by two local residents complaining about dust and noise. The residents only moved in three years ago.
Neil Pendreigh, of N&E Pendreigh, appeared at an Aberdeen public inquiry last week to renew his 24-truck Operator's Licence.
The residents said trucks arrived at the site from 02:0005:00hrs: engines would he stopped and re-started while drivers opened noisy metal gates. They also complained of trucks being prepared at 08;00hrs on Sundays and driven away at 09:00brs, and of drivers leaving their engines idling for 20 minutes. Pendreigh said his company specialised in long-distance work and trucks had to operate at these times. The metal gates prevented vandalism and theft.
Scottish Traffic Commissioner Michael Betts asked Pendreigh if his drivers could shut the gates gently.
Pendreigh replied that "drivers were not the easiest people to educate".
Betts granted Pendreigh's application but told him to invest in a better hard top at the entrance to reduce dust levels; to stop burning waste; to avoid starting work before Og:00hrs on Sundays; and to limit engine idling to four minutes.
He also advised Pendreigh to invest in a security man or electronic gates.