South African street food can now be sold from a trailer on a lay-by in Cirencester, despite fears over road safety, writes Carmelo Garcia.

Russell Volk and Anna Langley-Poole’s plans to set up the street trading venture on a lay-by on Kingshill Lane have been approved by Cotswold District Council.

They will sell a selection of South African street food and assorted curries from 4pm to 8pm, Tuesday to Saturday and from 10am to 2pm on Sundays.

And the street trading consent will be valid for 12 months.

The parish council had objected over concerns the lay-by is very narrow and not long enough for more than two cars.

They said customers would need to park in the lay-by on the opposite side of the road and then cross which would be hazardous as the road has a 60-mph speed limit.

But highways officers did not object to the proposals and the applicants say they are hoping to use CirenEats to distribute their food rather than relying on passing trade.

They will also operate out of peak traffic times and do not want to compete with the caterers at the football club or attract hordes of pedestrians.

They also say the lay-by is big enough for a school bus to park in during the afternoons with two SUVs behind so it will be safe for their low footfall business in the evenings and on Sundays.

Licensing sub-committee chairman, Cotswold District Councillor Stephen Hirst said the plans were approved with the recommendation that they should have signage indicating orders can be placed via CirenEats.

“If that signage can be seen by vehicles going down both ways on that road we will be very happy,” he said.

“We have decided to grant the application for the required 12 months consent.

“Should you wish to extend that period you have to come back to the licensing committee to get the OK.”