East Ayrshire Council and Dumfries and Galloway Council on standby

Despite a new law designed to ensure equal treatment, only eight of Scotland’s 32 councils will be meeting the government-recommended October deadline.

A change in the Equality Act passed in April this year means that taxi drivers face a fine of up to £1,000 if they refuse to transport wheelchair users or attempt to charge them extra However, the law only applies to drivers registered on council lists of wheelchair accessible taxis, known as Section 167 lists.

East Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway are among a group of six councils that plan to produce a Section 167 list but with no specified deadline.

The others are Na h-Eileanan Siar, Inverclyde, West Lothian and North Lanarkshire.

Perth and Kinross Council is the only council in Scotland to have completed a list, with a further seven expecting to meet the deadline before October.

Eighteen councils have no plans to create a list or do not know if they will do so, leaving disabled passengers facing overpriced rides and difficulty booking trips.

Campaigner Doug Paulley and charity Muscular Dystrophy UK, are calling on the government to make councils take their responsibilities seriously, and for all councils to set a deadline for creating a list.

Mr Paulley said: “It is disappointing that the Government’s intent in bringing in this legislation is being undermined by the failure of many councils to undertake the required office work, meaning that taxi drivers can continue to discriminate against wheelchair users with impunity.

“While conducting this research, it became clear that many councils simply didn’t think to create them until prompted. I recommend disabled people and their allies raise the issue with their local council.”

Neighbouring East Renfrewshire and South Ayrshire both plan to produce a Section 167 lists this year, meeting government guidance.

Meanwhile, North Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire are undecided on whether to produce a list