Ice cream van crackdown call

ICE cream vans may be forced to use designated stances after police and community leaders complained they are blocking roads.

East Lothian Council, which gives licences to van owners, is considering bringing in new rules after a number of complaints in North Berwick.

The vans are blamed for causing traffic jams, preventing access to the harbour and even blocking disabled parking spaces.

Community council vice-chairman Malcolm Baker said it could become a safety issue, as some vans park in front of the lifeboat station.

He said: "At times the slipway has been blocked and we couldn't get the lifeboat out."

The council is considering creating a number of stances around the town to deal with the problem.