A haulier will have its vehicle operations restricted at the end of this month, after Scotland's Traffic Commissioner found the business had serially breached safety standards over a number of years.

Joan Aitken told Annandale Transport that it's operator's licence will be cut from from 24 to 17 vehicles for three months on October 31. The company will then be restricted to using 20 vehicles after that period expires.

In a written decision issued after a public inquiry in Edinburgh, the industry regulator pointed out the company's failure to identify offences committed by its drivers.

"This is the serious aspect to not doing checks and oversight - that fatigued, un-rested drivers are out on the roads, putting us all at risk,” she said. “It is not simply a matter of failed administration: it is failed safety control.

"The history of this licence has been chequered and there has not been the quotidian, day in, day out compliance that is expected and required of any person holding an operator's licence.

“Day in day out roadworthiness; day in day out adherence to the drivers' hours rules; day in day out compliance with the licence undertakings which are there to secure road safety and fair competition."

Aitken also criticised the Kilsyth firm's director and transport manager, David Hyslop, for his behaviour towards government inspectors. She said he had acted in an "unacceptable and threatening" manner.

"Intimidating and unpleasant behaviour can be used to try to deflect public officials from their duties," the Traffic Commissioner said. "It is unacceptable for an operator director and transport manager to engage in incivility and threatening manner to DVSA Examiners."