Icy reception for Sheffield ice cream van

Paul Grayson has applied for a licence from the council to park his ice cream van near the entrance of Birley Community Primary School on Thornbridge Avenue during school term times.

But headteacher Dawn McAughey has objected, along with a local resident. Mrs McAughey said: “I wish to raise an objection due to the numerous complaints I have received over recent years, and continue to receive, about the van adding considerably to the congestion at the end of the school day on what is already a very busy road. The safety of all pupils is paramount.”

A local resident has also objected saying: “The van causes an obstruction by blocking a one way street outside the school in an area which states No Stopping. It’s a health and safety issue for children.”

Council officers, who visited Mr Grayson while he was trading, said he wasn’t parked illegally but parents were.

In a report to councillors, officer said: “There were at least 20-30 people in the queue, some of which were children on their own, adults on their own and some adults with children.

“We observed people collecting children from the school that had illegally parked on double yellow lines within the vicinity of the school. Mr Grayson was parked legally and was not causing obstruction.”

The licensing committee will make a decision at a meeting at 10am on Tuesday, May 15.