Edinburgh Taxi Outing officially back on after talks
The Edinburgh Taxi Outing will officially go ahead after organisers reached an agreement with police and councils to save the event.
The annual outing for children with additional support needs, life-limiting conditions and terminal illnesses had been cancelled earlier this week after organisers said a policy change meant police escorts could no longer support the convoy in the usual way.
But following talks involving Police Scotland, Edinburgh and East Lothian councils, Edinburgh Trams and Lothian Buses, organisers say a solution’s now been found to allow the event to proceed as a single convoy while complying with legislation.
The outing, which has run since 1947 and is funded by the city’s taxi trade, sees children driven through Edinburgh and East Lothian in brightly decorated taxis.
Police Scotland had earlier confirmed an “outline plan” had been agreed following what it described as “constructive discussions”.
A final planning meeting took place on Thursday afternoon, with organisers later confirming the outing would now go ahead as planned on June 9.
Outing committee secretary Keith Bell thanked the public for their support, saying messages had come from as far away as the United States and Australia.
Taxi drivers are still being encouraged to volunteer to take part in the convoy.