Commuters and holidaymakers faced travel chaos on Tuesday afternoon after a major incident brought a key arterial route to a complete standstill.
A heavy goods vehicle overturned on the A12 northbound between Junction 19 (Boreham Interchange) and Junction 20 (Hatfield Peverel), causing severe disruption during the busy travel period. The incident, which occurred shortly after midday, has resulted in miles of stationary traffic with motorists reporting being stranded for hours.
Emergency Response and Recovery Efforts
Emergency services, including police, fire crews, and ambulance teams, were swiftly dispatched to the scene. Initial reports confirm that the lorry driver was assessed by paramedics, though the extent of any injuries remains unconfirmed.
Recovery operations are underway, but the complex nature of righting an overturned articulated lorry means the clean-up is expected to take several hours. Highways England has warned travellers to expect significant delays throughout the afternoon and into the evening rush hour.
Diversions and Travel Advice
With the northbound carriageway completely blocked, long tailbacks have formed, stretching for several miles. Traffic is being diverted via local routes, but these are becoming heavily congested.
National Highways issued a statement advising: "Motorists are strongly urged to avoid the area if at all possible and to seek an alternative route for their journey. Allow extra time for travel if your journey is essential."
For those already caught in the congestion, patience is advised as recovery teams work to clear the scene. Drivers are reminded to keep emergency access routes clear.
