HILLINGDON Council is refusing to budge over 'healthy eating' plans to ban ice-cream vans from trading outside schools.
The Gazette broke the story on its website last Monday (March 15), and it quickly became national news. BBC Radio and the Daily Telegraph, among others, picked up our story.
Some newspapers even branded Hillingdon Council 'killjoys' over their new rules and regulations, which trader Pete Bhogal, of Tachbrook Road, Cowley, explained would have a negative effect on business.
But when asked if, in the face of national media attention, it would reconsider the proposals, the local authority said it had no plans to do so.
The council has described the move as a 'tightening of the rules' rather than an out-right ban, but this has upset many residents, who wrote to the Gazette to vent their frustration at what they saw as 'typical nanny state interference'.
Ronald Rebeiro, 64, of Hollywood Gardens, Hayes, said: "I would be interested to know how many of the decision makers are fit and athletic or indeed have ever seriously participated in sport.
"Using their reasons for banning ice-cream vans, these people should also close down corner shops where one can purchase confectionery and ice-cream.
"If there are no ice-cream vans, which I believe is synonymous with a 'feel good' factor, people will just go to a corner shop or a supermarket to make their purchase."
Julie Tidbury emailed: "Whatever next? Close the sweet shops when the children come out of school?
"I have often enjoyed an ice-cream when out shopping, and parents can say 'no' if they don't want their children to have an ice-cream.
"So you bright sparks at Hillingdon Council, let us make our own choices.
"Leave our ice-cream men alone and let them earn their income without you hassling them.
"It's hard enough for them to make a living."
* Are you fed up with the council's move or do you back it? Send your views to editorialuxbridge@trinitysouth.co.uk.
