CAR chaos reigned in Colchester during the first evening rush hour following the car ban.

Fire engines, police cars, ambulances, a broken down lorry and even a cherry picker contributed to the queues along East Hill and East Street following two incidents.

Cars are no longer able to turn right off the High Street into Queen Street increasing the traffic going down East Hill.

This was made worse when an articulated lorry tried to turn towards Eastgates and smashed roof tiles and guttering off flats on East Street, during the Monday rush hour.

The lorry also broke down and had to be removed.

Police are investigating the incident.

The road was cleared at about 5.15pm, the same time as a three car collision near the East Street bridge.

Those trying to find their way out of Colchester, following the new traffic regulations, now found their route blocked by emergency vehicles.

A silver Ford Ka, silver Proton Satria and a blue Volkwagen Golf crashed and the road was blocked.

A woman, aged in her 50s, had to be cut free from her car by fire crews from Colchester and was taken to Colchester General Hospital but her injuries were not serious.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Police are investigating events leading to the collision.”