Moray’s taxi drivers might face costly new health checks depending on the outcome of an inquiry into the Glasgow bin lorry tragedy.
The plans have been described as “overkill” by the area’s cab bosses, who say the chances of a similar accident in Moray are remote.
A report explaining the logistics of such a move went before Moray Council’s licensing committee yesterday, but members decided to postpone discussions until after the findings from the Glasgow accident are published.
The plans include a range of tests to assess the well-being of aspiring drivers, and would cost the local authority more than £25,000 each year.
Councillors heard the scheme was yet to be finalised, but could mean lengthy delays for those awaiting licences, and would mean an increase in fees to cover the cost of medical tests.
But Elgin City North councillor, Graham Leadbitter, said the measures could fall under the council’s remit of public care.
He said: “The council does have a duty of care to the public, and a person’s medical fitness does have bearing on whether they are fit to hold a taxi licence.”
Forres councillor Aaron Maclean, however, added: “Part of me thinks we are maybe using a sledgehammer to crack a walnut shell here.”
His fellow Forres representative George Alexander, added: “In light of what’s been what’s been going on in Glasgow in the last two or three weeks, is it not likely the Scottish Government will come forward with some sort of national recommendation?”
The committee agreed to postpone the talks until the resolution of the inquiry.
Last night Ian Emslie, who runs A2B cabs and is the chairman of the Moray taxi trade association, condemned the local authority for a lack of consultation on the plans.
He said: “This is frustrating for us – this is our livelihood and we just get no backup from the council.
“The authority just doesn’t take us into account with these things, it will make becoming a driver much more off-putting.”
C&R Cabs boss Rod Mclennan added: “I have been running taxis in Elgin for almost 20 years and I have never heard of an accident because of a driver suffering from medical problems.
“This is simply not an issue that needs to be addressed.”