A STRETCH of the A12 around Colchester has been described as resembling "an authorised flytipping site". 

Rubbish has been left strewn across the sides of the trunk road sparking calls for more to be done to tidy it. 

Vaughan Young, who reguarly visits Colchester, has been campaigning for the road to be given a spruce up - and action taken on those who litter. 

Speaking to the Gazette, he said: “It leaves me livid that people dump their rubbish.

“Colchester will soon be known as the city with the longest flytipping dual carriageway in the country.

“The litter in this section of the A12 now resembles an authorised fly tipping site.

“Without a word of a lie I have written to multiple public bodies about litter on our roads, verges and slipways from Colchester to Ipswich, Colchester to Harwich - which is appalling too. Each CEO in turn points the finger elsewhere.

“The A12 really is now a national disgrace.”

A spokesman from National Highways said: "Millions of people travel on our network every day and despite our best efforts to keep roads clean, they can quickly become littered with rubbish from vehicles and unsecured loads.

“Responsibility for litter picking on trunk roads sits with the local authority, and it would require new legislation to change this."

A spokesman for Colchester Council said: “As a local authority, we receive no additional funding for this duty and therefore incorporate it into our work programmes as best we can, using the resources available, but conscious that the A12 is a high-speed road that requires specialist safety measures, including PPE and vehicles, not needed for most of our other work.

“Our ability to undertake litter picking along the route is dependent on several factors but primarily resources, the weather, and safe working areas. 

“We are currently developing a programme of work to target lay-bys as soon as practicable and then other sections of the route when we can.

“We would like to reassure residents and motorists that we are doing all we can, as frequently and safely as possible, to maintain the cleanliness of the A12."