A12 Essex: Southbound side of road closed until Monday afternoon - and driver arrested

One side of an A-road is likely to be closed until this afternoon after an HGV hit a bridge and the central reservation - and there are already several miles of queues and delays of 45 minutes. Police say the driver has been arrested.

The accident happened on the A12 in Essex on the southbound side between Rivenhall at Junction 22 and Witham and Junction 21. A National HIghways spokesman said: "Essex Police initially attended the scene. Specialist recovery agents are now working to remove the vehicle from the network, which will be protracted due to the way the lorry came to rest. Once recovery is complete, barrier crews will attend the scene to assess the extent of damage caused to the central reservation."

National Highways are in charge of the incident and have recommended a diversion:

• Exit the A12 southbound at J25 Marks Tey and follow the A120 through Marks Tey, Coggeshall, Bradwell and Braintree.
• Exit the A120 at Panners Interchange follow the A131 through Great Notley and Great Leighs to the A131/A130/B1008 roundabout.
• At the roundabout take the first exit and continue on the A130 through Chelmsford to re-join the A12 southbound at J19 Boreham.

They have said that anyone travelling through the area will need to allow extra time. One driver took to social media platform X to complain this morning about being stuck for 90 minutes in Kelvedon, near Braintree in Essex.

Police are also at the scene and have said that the southbound side of the road is likely to be closed until the afternoon. Further information is available from National Highways at www.trafficengland.com or by calling 0300 123 5000.