Hard on Mister Softee: London councils ban ice cream vans

Concerns over air pollution, traffic congestion, targeting of schools and illegal trading have led to a crackdown in parts of the capital

Ice cream vans are to be banned from operating in some areas of London over concerns about air pollution.

Drivers need to keep their engines switched on while they are selling ice cream so that their onboard freezers stay cold, and to power soft serve ice cream machines. Most of the vehicles use diesel engines, which emit harmful chemicals such as black carbon and nitrogen dioxide.