Greenwich Council has issued an update on its rules surrounding ice cream vans.

The council explained that itinerant ice cream vans are able to trade “from hundreds of roads” in the borough without a license for 15 minutes at a time.

It is reviewing its street trading policy, which currently rules that 33 locations in the borough has bans on itinerant, or place-to-place, ice cream trading from mobile ice cream vans.

This is to prevent “unnecessary engine idling and narrow pavements being blocked by queues” as well as maintaining views in beauty spots.

The newly proposed policy adds a further two locations where fixed location ice cream trading can occur – which are Duke Humphrey Road (SE10) and Powis Street (SE18).

A Greenwich Council spokesperson said: “We have not banned ice cream vans. Itinerant ice cream vans, ones that move from place to place, are able to trade from hundreds of roads in the Royal Borough of Greenwich without a licence for 15 minutes at a time, and this is still the case.

“Today (June 14) the Council's Cabinet took the decision to make a timely review of its existing Street Trading Policy from 2015 (required by the London Local Authorities Act 1990).

“The public will have a chance to have their say on proposals during a 28-day period before any new policy is considered and adopted at Full Council.

“The existing policy designates 33 of the most sensitive locations in the borough where itinerant ice cream trading from mobile ice cream vans is not allowed.

“The draft policy adds two further locations where fixed location ice cream trading is allowed at Duke Humphrey Road (SE10) and Powis Street (SE18).

“This policy ensures ice cream can still be sold at locations across the borough whilst ensuring sensitive locations – such as our beautiful UNESCO world heritage site – which attracts thousands of visitors each year – is protected, as well as stopping unnecessary engine idling and narrow pavements being blocked by queues.”