Calls have been made to clear up litter on the A20 and A2 near Dover after residents branded both roads eyesores.

The verges are full of litter, believed to be left by lorry drivers when they are stuck in queues heading to and from the port.

Dover District Council has confirmed that these roads fall under its authority. It revealed clear-ups of the A20 and A2 cost the taxpayer £2,000 each time.

Barry Warman, from Folkestone, said: “The amount of rubbish and debris left after lorries are stacked on this section of road while waiting to gain access to the Port of Dover is disgusting and unbelievable.

“It has been there for some time I cannot believe that it cannot be cleared at least every couple of weeks. What must visitors to this area think when they are driving through?” Dover District Council said it is working hard to keep the A20 and A2 clean and is calling for drivers to stop dropping litter.

The local authority is also calling on the government to review the situation given the financial burden placed on taxpayers.

Dover District Council leader Cllr Paul Watkins said: “We are aware of concerns around the amount of litter dropped on the roadsides of the A20 and A2 and other major roads. We continue to work hard to address this, and are committed to maintaining a high level of service for our road users and neighbouring communities. By keeping our roads free of litter, we can make a safer and more pleasant environment for everyone.

“Litter thrown from moving vehicles puts the safety of workers collecting it at risk of being struck by passing vehicles. We’re urging drivers to keep a rubbish bag in their vehicle and take litter home. These roads are part of the vital transport infrastructure of the country, and the rubbish along these roadsides is associated with the huge volume of traffic entering and leaving the country.

“This is a national issue, and we would call on the government to review the allocation of responsibilities in this matter.”

On Twitter, one resident said Jubilee Way was a “dreadful advert for the area” and another called the A20 “disgustingly filthy”.