Edinburgh council emergency meeting on cancelled taxi outing

An emergency meeting has been convened by Edinburgh councillors in an effort to salvage a beloved annual taxi outing for children with serious illnesses, after this year’s event was cancelled due to a change in national policing guidance. The Edinburgh Trades Taxi Outing, which was scheduled for June 9, provides a special day out for children with additional support needs, life-limiting conditions, and terminal illnesses, transporting them through the city in decorated taxis.

The cancellation followed discussions between event organisers, City of Edinburgh Council, and Police Scotland regarding new operational guidance issued by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC). Under this updated guidance, police are no longer able to provide a rolling road closure or motorcycle escort for such processions. Police Scotland offered static support at key points but stated the convoy would need to travel within normal traffic conditions for the majority of its route.

Organisers said operating under normal traffic rules was not feasible, citing significant concerns for the comfort and safety of the participating children. Keith Bell, chief secretary of the taxi outing committee, explained...