News

Local residents have failed to block haulier James Ferguson from using an operating centre at Burnibrae Farm, Milton of Campsie in Lanarkshire.

David Williamson, of Burnibrae Cottage, had complained about issues including the early start up of engines reversing bleepers and bright lights at the workshop. James Curtis, of Banks Farm, which was close to the operating centre, said his relationship with Ferguson had broken down over plans to develop Banks Farm as a visitor centre.

Ferguson  said that he had responded to complaints by cutting the number of early morning starts and erected a fence between the operating centre and Burnibrae Cottage.

Scottish deputy traffic commissioner Richard McFarlane decided not to remove Burnibrae Farm from the licence or to impose environmental conditions. He said he could not ignore the fact that lorries had been associated with Burnibrae Farm for many years - long before Curtis' and Williamson's arrival.

McFarlane was also considering action against the company's licence for 10 vehicles because of maintenance concerns, after the issue of four immediate and three delayed prohibitions in the past five years. McFarlane said Ferguson must ensure that undertakings over maintenance continued to be fulfilled when the licence was granted.