London SE1 > News & Features > November 2000

Lambeth gets tough on illegal traders: will Southwark follow?

Lambeth Council has moved to ban ice cream vans from operating on the South Bank and in the surrounding streets as far away as The Cut. Noise and pollution from the vans' running engines have brought numerous complaints from visitors and residents.

Last month the Council, working with the police, took action against nuisance traders believed to be operating illegally. As many as 33 hot food trolleys and other stalls were seized. The Council hopes that costs of the operation will be awarded by the courts.

But the large commercial businesses on the South Bank have been asked to help fund an on-going enforcement operation as some unlicensed trading is taking place off the designated public highway.

Meanwhile those living on Bankside, which is in the Borough of Southwark, are continuing to complain about noise and illegal trading around Tate Modern. The former power station has been ringed by up to ten ice cream vans all with engines running throughout the day. The Bankside Residents' Forum has been asking Southwark Council to take action.