Scots estate rapped by watchdog

Drivers' hours were not properly accounted for, the commissioner ruled

The company which manages a major Scottish estate group has had its vehicle licence cut after a watchdog found drivers' hours were breached.

Scottish Traffic Commissioner Joan Aitken reduced the Buccleuch Estates' licence to a restricted one.

She also cut its authority to run vehicles by 14, to just three.

The commissioner said the estate's transport manager Andrew Redpath, who has since left the post, was "one of the worst" she had encountered.

Buccleuch Estates said it had ceased its road haulage business.

The ruling, issued by the Scottish Traffic Commissioner, came in the wake of concerns from vehicle inspectors about the way drivers, who were involved in transporting livestock, were operating.

Driver 'bullying'

A hearing in May 2008 heard evidence there was no proper system in place to ensure they got the rests to which they were entitled and that they failed to take sufficient breaks.

Examiners also raised concern that record sheets had been falsified, while drivers - who accused Mr Redpath of putting them under pressure to keep working - repeatedly breached daily driving limits.

Ms Aitken said Mr Redpath, had "lost his repute".

She added: "Mr Redpath is one of the worst transport managers I have encountered in his disregard of the law, his disregard of driver welfare and his bullying of drivers."

In a statement, Buccleuch Estates said it had received the decision of the traffic commissioner.

It said: "The company notes the terms of the decision and the restrictions placed on its licence. In August 2008, Buccleuch Estates Ltd ceased its road haulage business."

The Buccleuch estates takes in four separate Scottish estates - Bowhill, Queensberry, Dalkeith and Langholm.

It also has the Boughton Estate in Northamptonshire.

The traffic commissioner also issued formal warnings to the 15 drivers involved in the case.