Greenwich Council to ban ice cream vans in new plans

The plans unveiled by Greenwich Council would see over 30 roads be on a list of banned roads for ice cream vans. 

Set across Greenwich and Woolwich town centre roads, the ban would prohibit trading ice cream vans from trading in specific locations. 

Council documents share that this is due to the 'nuisance' created by the vans and the impact they can have on public amenities, according to MyLondon. 

Greenwich Council share plans to ban ice cream vans 

Ice Cream Vans could be banned (Image: Canva)

Along with the 'nuisance' side, the council also suggest that the removal of ice cream vans would help improve air quality by reducing emissions from engines.

Over 20 roads on the list are in Woolwich's town centre whilst 13 are in Greenwich town centre. 

These included the likes of the Cutty Sark Gardens, Greenwich High Road, Powis Street and Beresford Square. 

Plus, a couple of sites have been included on the lists due to their 'sensitive' locations with connections to World Heritage Sites and Conservation Areas. 

These include King William Walk, St Mary's Gates, Royal Museum Greenwich and the Old Royal Naval College. 

Potential ice cream van bans on these streets come following complaints as well as enquiries made by two ombudsmen. 

Speaking to MyLondon, a spokesperson from the Planning Inspectorate said that their report highlighted the negative impact of queues caused by ice cream vans and the 'clutter' to views. 

It said: "The partial screening and cluttering of views would adversely affect the enjoyment of visitors to this area as it would make the experience of this significant tourism attraction less pleasurable and it would make it more difficult for them to appreciate the significance and attractiveness of the area.”

A decision on the ice cream van ban will take place during a cabinet meeting for Greenwich Council on June 14.