An Edinburgh MSP has pleaded with Police Scotland to allow the city’s annual children's taxi parade to proceed as planned.
Organisers announced yesterday that the much-loved procession, which was founded by taxi cab drivers in 1947, would not take place this year because of changes to the force’s escort policy.
Now, Edinburgh and Lothians East MSP Miles Briggs has urged Justice Secretary Neil Gray to intervene following the “bizarre decision”.
He said: “The scrapping of this wonderful event is heartbreaking news.
“I see no reason why Police Scotland cannot continue to facilitate this tradition which has been running without issue for nearly 80 years. It is a major highlight for many Edinburgh taxi drivers who volunteer their time to drive the kids around the Capital.”
Every year, dozens of brightly-decorated taxis ferry children with additional support needs or terminal illnesses from Edinburgh Zoo to the East Lothian coast for a fun-filled afternoon.
However, the decision by the National Police Chiefs’ Council to scrap police escorts for the event means the procession will be subject to city centre congestion and traffic conditions.
"The children participating in the outing have a variety of needs and some will not manage to cope with sitting stationary for who knows how long waiting for the taxis at the back to catch up,” Keith Bell, secretary of the outing committee, told the Press Association.
“As our number-one priority has been and always will be the comfort and safety of the children, we have reluctantly decided to cancel this year’s outing.
"The council and the police have always supported us over the years with the outing, and the outing would not have happened without the support of the motorcycle unit, and as that support has been withdrawn due to the new policy we have had no option but to cancel the outing.”
The parade was scheduled to have been held on June 9.
In his letter to Mr Gray, Mr Briggs wrote: “The event is a hugely important one and provides a memorable day out for children with additional needs, life-limiting conditions and terminal illnesses.
“I am sure you would agree that the cancellation of the Edinburgh Taxi Outing would be a great shame for the city and for those who look forward to it every year, and I therefore urge the Scottish Government to liaise with the National Police Chiefs Council to reverse this decision and ensure that the day goes ahead.”
Mr Briggs has also written to the Edinburgh Local Police Commander, Chief Superintendent David Robertson, to enlist his support.
The Tory MSP remarked: “As an MSP over the last ten years I have gone outside Parliament to see the taxi procession and dodge the super soakers! It is clearly a great day out for the kids and something the whole community can get behind.
“I have written to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Neil Gray, and the Edinburgh Local Police Commander urging them to intervene and reverse this bizarre decision.
He added: “The parade is a unique opportunity to make memories of a lifetime for children whose lives are extremely challenging.
“Ministers must work with Police Scotland to find a solution to this situation as quickly as possible so that the parade can go ahead on June 9.”
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Responding to news of the cancellation, Police Scotland Chief Inspector Craig Rogerson said on Monday:
“I have spoken with the event organisers and provided clarity regarding the operational considerations associated with this year’s event.
“We remain committed to working constructively with the organising committee and other key delivery partners to explore alternative options that would allow the event to proceed safely.”
The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.
