The annual Edinburgh Taxi Outing for sick children looks set to go ahead after police agreed support for the event.
On Monday, it was announced that the outing had been “reluctantly” cancelled after organisers said a policy change left police officers unable to escort the cabs.
The annual event, organised and funded by taxi drivers, gives children with special needs, life-limiting conditions and terminal illnesses a day out where they are driven around the city in colourfully decorated taxis.
It was due to be held for the 78th time on June 9, but outing committee secretary Keith Bell had said that organisers had “no option” but to cancel.
However, a statement by Police Scotland on Wednesday appears to confirm that the outing can go ahead as planned.
Superintendent Neil Wilson said: “Our focus throughout has been to support the Edinburgh Taxi Outing as we have done for many years.
“We have held constructive discussions today with the event organiser and have agreed an outline plan which allows the event to run safely on its original route.
“Further discussions will take place in the coming days to finalise the police operation to support the event and ensure the children enjoy their day.”
Mr Bell previously said that a policy change meant officers would no longer escort such events through the streets of Edinburgh and East Lothian and that the taxi outing did not meet the new criteria for a police escort.
He had raised concerns about proposals for static support at key places, saying the children involved in the outing had “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”.
A final decision is expected to be confirmed during a meeting between the police, taxi drivers and the City of Edinburgh Council on Thursday.
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