Lorry drivers parking next to a “hideously dangerous” A2 slip-road have been branded irresponsible by the leader of the city council.

A muddy lay-by on the entrance to the dual carriageway off Coldharbour Lane has been used daily by HGV drivers for a number of years.

But fed-up council leader Simon Cook, who has highlighted the slip-road issue between Bridge and Bishopsbourne at a host of parish council meetings, wants to give lorries the boot.

“I cannot understand what goes on in the heads of the lorry drivers who park there,” he said.

“It is hideously dangerous and there is no room for it. The lorries hang over the carriageway and obstruct the road.

“It’s extremely irresponsible and there is simply an accident waiting to happen.

“I do not want lorry drivers to keep parking there.”

Up to three lorries can squeeze onto the lay-by at a time, making the blind bend on to the slip road off Coldharbour Lane even more precarious.

Cllr Cook, who said police had confirmed to him that the slip-road would be monitored by patrol cars whenever officers were in the area, added: “It’s an ongoing issue which has been dragging on for years. Lorries are there in the day and stay during the night – one is even parked there on the Google Earth visual.

“The kerb is so worn it’s now non-existent.”

In Ashford, a controversial 18-month clamping trial stopping lorry drivers from parking illegally has been rolled out.

But Cllr Cook said Canterbury needed a different approach.

“Clamping will not be an improvement as we want the lorries to go away,” he said.

“Police cannot be there patrolling all of the time, so I think the long-term solution is to write to Highways England asking them to install concrete bollards. Parking there needs to stop as it is lethal. It is dangerous beyond belief.”