Illegal ice cream vans at iconic London tourist landmarks must go, say Tories

Published: 08:26 EDT, 25 September 2026 | Updated: 08:30 EDT, 25 September 2026 The shadow transport secretary has called for a clampdown on illegally parked ice cream vans on London's Westminster Bridge.The Tories' Richard Holden voiced his concerns in the Commons given the popularity of the bridge, which lures in many tourists.He wrote on X: 'It beggars belief that amongst a plethora of illegal activity, dodgy ice cream vans, alongside conmen and unregulated pedicabs are simply being allowed to pull up on Westminster Bridge, right next to Parliament and inside the Government's own secure zone and no-one does anything.'Labour ministers and the Mayor are asleep at the wheel.'They need to stop passing the buck, recognise the obvious security risk and get these vehicles off the bridge for good.'However, after raising his concerns, the Cabinet Office responded that this was 'a matter for the police'. Ice cream vans are known for parking on Westminster Bridge, despite double red linesIt comes after anti-terror barriers were installed on the bridge following an attack by an extremist in 2017 that killed five people.No vehicles are permitted to stop on the bridge, which has double red lines marked.The Home Office and Met Police, meanwhile, said it was a matter for Westminster Council.Councillor Caroline Sargent, Westminster Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Enforcement, said people should be able to soak up Westminster Bridge's 'iconic viewpoints without being harassed or scammed'.She said, as reported by the Standard: 'As the jurisdiction of the bridge is divided between Westminster and Lambeth, effective enforcement depends on close partnership working.'We work hand in hand with Lambeth Council and the police to tackle persistent issues including rogue pedicabs, unlicensed trading, and antisocial behaviour.' The Shadow Transport Secretary has called for action to prevent these vans Tourists stopping for ice cream at the landmark site have raised concernsIce cream vans have been seized in the past.Jonathan Bartley, Lambeth's Cabinet Member for Safer, Thriving Neighbourhoods, said: 'Lambeth Council has taken significant enforcement action, including seizing ice cream vans and prosecuting people for illegal trading.'But the fact that some traders simply return after being moved on, fined or prosecuted shows that enforcement as it stands is not sufficient.'A Transport for London spokesman told the publication: 'Illegal parking on the bridge can create safety risks by obstructing the highway and forcing pedestrians into cycle lanes.'This is an ongoing issue, and we continue to monitor the area, take enforcement action against vehicles that stop or park illegally and work closely with the police.'