Westminster City Council has set out its joint work with Lambeth Council and the police to tackle illegal ice cream vans, rogue pedicabs and street scams on Westminster Bridge, after Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden MP accused ministers of playing "pass the parcel" over law-breaking at one of London's most visited landmarks, the Evening Standard has reported.
No vehicles are allowed to stop on the bridge, which has double red lines and sits within the Government Secure Zone, with anti-terror barriers installed after the 2017 attack. When Mr Holden raised his concerns in Parliament, the Cabinet Office said it was a matter for the police, while the Home Office said enforcement was "primarily" for Transport for London and councils. Mr Holden said:
"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."
Cllr Caroline Sargent, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Enforcement, said the council wanted people to be able to enjoy the bridge's "iconic viewpoints without being harassed or scammed," adding:
"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."
Joint operations have already led to fines, seizures of goods and prosecutions of unlawful traders and pedicab riders, and ice cream vans have previously been seized.
Lambeth Council's Cllr Jonathan Bartley said traders returning after being fined or prosecuted showed that "enforcement as it stands is not sufficient." Transport for London said it continues to take enforcement action against vehicles stopping or parking illegally on the bridge.
You can read Nicholas Cecil and Luke Reevey's article in The Standard in full here.
