DRIVERS travelling on the A36 in and out of Salisbury have been left horrified by the “appalling” sight of litter left strewn along the roadside.

Wiltshire Council, which holds responsibility for clearing up the rubbish on A roads, said up until last year, the Highways Agency were cleaning the A36 but the problems began when it decided to stop last Spring.

However, a spokesman for the Highways Agency contradicted the council’s explanation, insisting it has never collected litter from the A36.

On Tuesday, Philip Whitehead, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member responsible for highways, said it could not afford to “keep clearing up after people who have no respect for their local community”.

The council, which has just started an additional litter pick from the verges of all rural roads in the county at a cost of £120,000, is now urging people to stop dropping litter due to it costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of pounds to clear away.

Cllr Whitehead said: “This is a totally avoidable cost as far as I am concerned. The money we are spending to clear the litter from verges because of the anti social actions of some inconsiderate people could be put to much better use maintaining vital services.”

The council is also asking members of the community to help it clean up the litter on rural roads.

A council spokesman said: “There are already many community and corporate groups around the county involved in regular litter picking activities. The council wants to help give these groups the recognition they deserve and encourage other groups to help reduce litter in Wiltshire.

“We have a limited amount of litter equipment we can loan out. We would also be pleased to supply black bags and arrange the collection of litter following an event. Any group in need of support can contact the council on 0300 456 0105.”

He added that this did not include the A36 or A303 due to the dangers involved but that these roads would be cleared over the next eight weeks ahead of grass cutting.