Drivers faced huge delays on the A12 this lunchtime after a spillage forced police to close the road.
The northbound carriageway was closed to all traffic after diesel was spilled onto the road between junction 23 and junction 24 at Kelvedon.
Essex Police says the spillage is thought to have been caused by a collision involving a lorry.
No one was injured in the collision.
The Force Control Room has taken to Twitter to warn motorists about delays.
We have @EP_RPU_North on scene, there is a lot of spillage on the road, please avoid for now if you can. #RTC #A12 https://t.co/7HNGTk276b
— Force Control Room (@EPControlRoom) 22 July 2019
It tweeted: "We have @EP_RPU_North on scene, there is a lot of spillage on the road, please avoid for now if you can."
Queues have already formed several miles back to junction 20 at Hatfield Peverel.
A12 Northbound at Kelvedon is at a standstill - Please avoid. @EP_RPU_North and @ECFRS are on scene.
— DC Ben Pedro (@DcBenPedro) 22 July 2019
If you're in the tailback - stay in your cars, pump the AC up and share your in-car selfies! #A12 #Stanstill #Kelvedon #Essex @essexhighways @Essex_Travel @EssexTraffic pic.twitter.com/E27nkj9bl1
Update 13:12
One lane has now reopened to traffic but police are warning it may have to be closed again.
We are currently on scene at a 2 vehicle RTC A12 Northbound. There is a large diesel spill at scene, but we have opened lane 2. @HighwaysSEAST are on route to assist and the carriageway may have to be closed fully again. pls avoid the area. #A12 #Kelvedon pic.twitter.com/9xfr0JxzLI
— Essex Roads Policing Unit - North (@EP_RPU_North) 22 July 2019
A spokesman for Essex Police said: "We've closed the A12 northbound at Kelvedon following a fuel spill at 12.20pm today.
"We received reports that a large amount of fuel leaked onto one lane of the road after lorry was involved in a collision.
"The driver was not injured and we have closed one lane."
Essex Fire and Rescue Service says crews were called to the scene but were not needed.
Update 3.30pm
Essex Police has confirmed both lanes have now reopened to traffic.
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