East Lothian Courier | News | Bit to lick ice cream van problem

Thursday, 20th November, 2008

Published: Thursday, 21st August, 2008 08:30

Bit to lick ice cream van problem

ICE cream vans may be forced to use designated stances, amid a mounting clamour for action to relieve the regular traffic bottleneck which forms at the corner of Victoria Road and Melbourne Road.

East Lothian Council, which issues operating licenses to van owners, is considering creating a number of stances around the town in response to complaints.

There are claims that the vans’ positioning, close to North Berwick Lifeboat Station at the apex of the two streets, is causing a threat to safety as well as blocking vehicular access to and from the harbour. Buses and other public service vehicles are also having difficulty in negotiating the tight, right-angled, turn, North Berwick Community Council heard.

Community policeman, PC Allan Walker, told the group’s meeting: “This is a problem which keeps rearing its ugly head. The traffic warden is looking at the licensing issues and I am considering starting to report the vans for causing temporary obstructions.”

Community council vice-chairman, Malcolm Baker, said: “Ice cream vans are coming down Victoria Road and parking in front of the lifeboat shed. Buses are coming down and cannot get round the corner as a result. At times the slipway has been blocked and we couldn’t get the lifeboat out.”

Colleague Bob Bryson added: “They are even blocking the disabled parking bays in front of the Scottish Seabird Centre.”

Council leader, Councillor David Berry, confirmed the local authority was investigating. He said: “Our licensing people are looking into this. I think the way to do it is to have actual stands, rather than licences.

“These incidents are being recorded far too often. The ice cream vans have had the courtesy of parking there for four years, but action needs to be taken. I would suggest having several stances spread around the town centre, such as further along Melbourne Road.”

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