A layby close to a dual carriageway in Wiltshire was closed by a family fed up with years of "rats, rubbish and dead animals".

Oliver Tayler, who has lived by the A350 in Kington Langley all his life, previously attempted to close the layby just yards from his home because it became a littering and fly-tipping hotspot.

He says the problem got so bad he discovered rats in his house because of rubbish that was left on his doorstep.

Mr Tayler is concerned that will happen again after claiming he recently found dead animals in the layby.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Mr Tayler claims he found dead animals in the layby.Mr Tayler claims he found dead animals in the layby. (Image: Amy Tayler)

He said: “When I say there is a litter problem, I mean there are dead animals that were left there for two or three months… people just pull in and chuck their rubbish out.

“It’s disgusting. I’m 42 and for as long as I can remember there have been arguments about this layby.

“Nobody has any respect or care about it. Ten years ago it was so bad there was rats everywhere and I had them chew through the back door of my house and get in… I don’t want that happening again.

“I’m fuming about it. In the past I closed it myself, which got the police and councillors involved, because that was the only way I could get something done.”

The Taylers reported the issue to Kington Langley Parish Council who told them they had been communicating with Wiltshire Council and the highways agency to resolve the issue.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: The family have had issues with the layby for years.The family have had issues with the layby for years. (Image: Amy Tayler)

Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for transport and street scene, Cllr Caroline Thomas, denied they had received any recent reports about the layby and told this paper the council would investigate the issue.

She said: “Our Enforcement Team haven’t received any recent reports for this location. However, an officer will visit the location today and investigate.

“This will include, if required, sending a request to the council’s contractor to remove any waste in situ.

“The quickest way to notify the council of littering and fly-tipping is via our MyWilts system and our officers can investigate.”

Mr Tayler’s wife, Amy, says that the council have since sent litter pickers to the layby.

But Mr Tayler insists that previous council action has been ineffective, and the road should therefore be shut to prevent waste being dumped.

He added: “It’s an absolute waste of time and money, the best solution is to close the layby, but the council think they can do what they want.

“Enough is enough, it needs to be closed.”