Agenda item

Illegal Street Traders on the City’s Bridges

A Member asked for a progress update in tackling the illegal street trading on and around Tower Bridge. The Committee had previously agreed funding from Bridge House Estates for a full-time licensing officer position dedicated to enforcing across the City’s bridges which are in the jurisdiction of neighbouring local authorities, and agreed that a progress report would be brought back to the Committee. However, the Member had seen little, if any, reduction in illegal street trading despite the action taken.

The Port Health and Public Protection Director  assured the Committee that officers would report back on the issue. The licensing officer position had been recruited to in November 2018 and had been given powers to enforce. There had been an issue with agreeing enforcement powers with Tower Hamlets, who were due to consider it at their meeting on 7 February 2019.