Essex multiple crashes cause severe cross-county delays

"Serious" incidents on the A414 and A120 have seen police and fire crews respond, with lane closures on both roads and motorists urged to avoid them if possible. Police are on the scene of the "serious collision" on the A414 and have issued a plea for motorists to avoid the area and anyone with any relevant dash cam footage or information to contact them via the Essex Police website. A spokesperson for Essex Police said: "We are on scene of a serious collision on the A414 between Chelmsford and Ongar.

"We received a call shortly before 3.30am today. "The road is closed and is expected to be shut for most of this morning, possibly until lunchtime. "We will provide more updates when we can but please avoid the area.

"Thank you for your patience and understanding." Drivers have also experienced delays on the A120 near Stanstead Airport this morning after a van fire saw Essex Fire and Rescue attend to extinguish the blaze forcing a lane closure. National Highways East said: "Traffic is currently held on the A120 westbound between the B1256 Great Dunmow and M11 Junction 8.

"Delays of up to 30 minutes and approximately two miles of congestion on approach." An Essex County Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "Firefighters extinguished a van on fire on the A120. "Crews left the scene at 5:45am."

Drivers in south Essex are also facing a difficult commute with heavy congestion on the A127 to M25 London-bound junction with the road partially blocked after a crash earlier this morning.

Another crash on the A130 southbound at Rayleigh spur roundabout earlier this morning has compounded traffic between Southend and Basildon.