THE northbound carriageway of the A12 near Chelmsford remains closed following a crash earlier this morning.

A lorry and a van collided between J14 and 15 near Chelmsford and police remain at the scene at junction 17 where the northbound carriage remains closed. The southbound carriageway reopened earlier on Wednesday afternoon.

Highways haven't given an exact time for when the northbound carriageway will reopen, but early estimates it will be late on Wednesday night after resurfacing.

Motorists are being advised to avoid the area and seek alternative routes where possible.

Police were contacted shortly before 7.30am today. Motorists are advised that the A12 has been closed in both directions from junction 17 whilst emergency services deal with the incident.

Two fire crews from Chelmsford and one from Baddow were called to the lorry at 7.20am.

Firefighters reported the lorry was 100 per cent alight on arrival and they are now wearing breathing apparatus and using three hose reel jets to tackle the blaze.

The junction has been closed in both direction, with cars being diverted off at the exit slip road and back on again via the entry slip road from the roundabout at Howe Green.

Eastbound congestion is tailing back to junction 15 for Three Mile Hill, with westbound traffic queueing back to junction 20a at Hatfield Peverel South.

Northbound on the A130 there is slow moving traffic between Rettendon at the A132, and Howe Green.

Traffic on the A130 towards Chelmsford is also slow, with queues stretching back towards the South Woodham Ferrers sliproad. 

Video and photo by Colin Shead ‏@SgtColinShead