MOTORISTS are being warned not to travel unless their journeys are absolutely necessary after last night’s torrential rain caused chaos on the county’s roads.

The Clacton-bound A120 was down to one lane at Elmstead Market as motorists tried to avoid floodwater.

Colchester-bound traffic was also queuing in the opposite direction.

This morning the A12 still has two lanes blocked at Margaretting with queues back to Hatfield Peverel. Chelmsford city centre is also extremely congested because of traffic diverting through it and the standing water on many roads.

On the A12 Colchester bypass there is flooding on the London-bound carriageway with queues back into Suffolk and back on to the A133.

Numerous other roads across the county are affected by flooding and standing water - many minor roads are impassable.