A series of minor car accidents, a dumped vehicle and roadworks caused major hold-ups on the A12 between Kelvedon and Hatfield Peverel.

Three vehicles were involved in a collision on the northbound carriageway of the A12 at the Witham bypass a few minutes before 10.30am on Wednesday.

And shortly after, a privately owned ambulance was involved in a second accident on the southbound carriageway of the A12 at the Witham bypass -- directly opposite the first accident.

The driver of the ambulance received minor injuries and was taken to Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford.

No injuries were sustained by the other three motorists.

And at about 12.10pm on the London-bound carriageway of the A12 between Kelvedon and Marks Tey, a third accident happened involving a further two cars. No-one was injured.

Roadworks, which started on Wednesday between the two Hatfield Peverel junctions on the A12, also added to motorists frustration, with tailbacks stretching to Marks Tey last night.

Maldon motorists trying to avoid the A12 are hitting alternative hold-ups at roadworks in Danbury.

A dumped car on the southbound carriage way of the A12 at the Hatfield Peverel junction also increased yesterday's misery.

A police spokesman said: "I think all these minor accidents and traffic queuing through the roadworks at Hatfield Peverel have added up and are causing the delays."

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