MOVES to ban the sale of vehicles on grass verges in the city have been welcomed.

Chelmsford Council announced earlier this month those found guilty could face a fine of up to £1,000. Other means of street trading are included in the ban.

Every street in Chelmsford is now a Consent Street giving the police and the council the power to control street.

Chief Inspector Alan Cook, from Essex Police, said: “I’m pleased to be working in partnership with Chelmsford Council to solve the problem of the illegal selling of vehicles on streets.

“Notices are now in place around the city warning people that it is an offence to trade without consent, and with Essex Police taking the issue of illegal street trading very seriously, we hope to see an improvement to outside spaces quite soon.”

Councillor Ian Grundy, in charge of safer communities, agrees with the policy. He said: “This policy will help remove the historic problem of unsightly vehicles being sold on the city’s streets. “The new policy is here is to control street trading which means we can eliminate nuisance trading whilst continuing to support community events in the city.”

Clerk to Springfield Parish Council, Barbara Larken, added: “We welcome these positive steps that Chelmsford Council have taken towards reducing the difficulties we have had with the sale of vehicles on our streets.”