Driving through Holyrood Park is fare play again for taxis

TAXIS are to be allowed back into Holyrood Park after Historic Scotland performed an embarrassing U-turn on a controversial ban.

Police had been issuing tickets to taxi drivers found in the royal park amid confusion about regulations limiting commercial vehicles.

But Historic Scotland, the government agency which manages the park, has now confirmed taxis are once again allowed to use it as a through route.

The move comes after the district procurator fiscal confirmed to taxi drivers that the current legislation did not allow for a ban on cabs, which is likely to lead to tickets already issued being rescinded.

The news led to an embarrassing climbdown for park bosses who had authorised police to fine taxi drivers found in the park without passengers.

The move to enforce existing restrictions on commercial vehicles more stringently came after it emerged that park bosses were considering a ban on all traffic due to safety concerns over rising traffic levels in Duddingston Village.

Throughout February drivers were stopped and made aware of the park's traffic regulations, which ban commercial vehicles and limit speeds to 30mph.

A spokeswoman for Historic Scotland said: "We have just received notification from the procurator fiscal's office outlining their decision to allow taxis to drive through Holyrood Park, with immediate effect. We welcome the clarification of the situation."

The decision came after local taxi driver Keith Bell wrote to the procurator fiscal seeking clarification. He said: "I felt that what the police were saying was wrong. The procurator fiscal has confirmed there's no offence, so that's where we stand. A lot of taxi drivers have been avoiding the park. You can be taken before the regulatory committee and ultimately lose your licence for the sake of one fare - it's not worth losing your livelihood."

Last year it emerged that banning traffic altogether from Holyrood Park was one of a number of options being considered to reduce the amount of vehicles in the area.

Residents in Duddingston Village say increasing numbers of vehicles have led to road safety concerns and a rising number of road rage incidents.

A police spokeswoman said: "After updated advice from the procurator fiscal, Lothian and Borders Police will no longer be issuing fixed penalty tickets to taxis with capacity for seven passengers or fewer passing through Holyrood Park, whether carrying passengers or not. We will also not be issuing fixed penalty tickets to taxis carrying advertising livery.

"We are continuing to work with Historic Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council to preserve this area of natural beauty that can be enjoyed by people across the city."