The A12 has been closed today (September 10) following a five-vehicle crash near Kelvedon. Emergency services are at the scene of the crash between junctions 23 and 24 of the northbound carriageway of the road.
Up to five vehicles have been involved in the crash and both lanes of the northbound carriageway are shut. National Highways is advising people to avoid the area while work is undertaken to clear the scene.
It is not yet known if there has been any serious injuries in relation to the crash. The road remains blocked and traffic is stationary.
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We will be bringing you live updates on this crash and the traffic as we go through the rest of the day. It is not yet known how long the road will be closed for.
Follow us in our blog below as we bring you the latest information as soon as we have it.
12:30Ellis Whitehouse
Charity motorcycle run delayed by closures
Today the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Motorcycle Run is taking place in Essex to raise money for the charity. Thousands of motorbike riders were travelling on the A12 northbound before the crash happened.
None of the bikers were involved in the crash, but the charity has advised its last leg of the run in north Essex will be delayed. A spokesman said: “Hey everyone, we are aware of a delay due to an incident on the A12 unrelated to the Motorcycle Run – the end of the run will be about an hour late.”
12:25Ellis Whitehouse
30 minute delays still remain
There are still delays of around 30 minutes to people’s journeys on the A12 this afternoon with one lane remaining closed.
Congestion remains focussed around the Witham area, with traffic levels further south beginning to ease slightly.
12:00Ellis Whitehouse
One lane reopens but huge delays remain
One lane of the A12 northbound has now reopened, National Highways have confirmed. However, there are still likely to be delays well into the afternoon due to the backlog of traffic.
A spokesman said: “Lane 1 (of 2) has reopened on the #A12 northbound between J23 and J24 near #Kelvedon following an earlier collision. Lane 2 remains closed for recovery. There are 5 miles of congestion on approach to the lane closure causing 30 min delays above normal travel time.”
11:58Ellis Whitehouse
Heavy traffic surrounding Witham
There is extremely heavy traffic on the A12 northbound leading around Witham and near Hatfield Peverel as vehicles are halted or diverted away from the scene of the crash.
Motorists are advised to expect major delays on the road for the forseeable future and urged not to use the A12 northbound and seek out other routes.
11:46Ellis Whitehouse
The situation so far
Below is everything we know so far about the crash on the A12 today:
- It has taken place on the northbound carriageway between J23 with the B1024 London Road (Kelvedon South, Kelvedon) and J24 (Kelvedon North, Feering)
- There is congestion to the junction with Hatfield Peverel
- A crash has happened with five cars involved
- The carriageway is fully closed on the northbound side
- It is affecting traffic between Kelvedon and Colchester, as well as impacting the Air Ambulance Bike Run 2023 event along this route
A National Highways spokesman said: “The A12 northbound is closed between J23 and J24 near Kelvedon due to a multi-vehicle collision. Emergency services including Essex Police are on scene.
“More details to follow. Please allow extra journey time and consider using alternative routes if possible.”
11:44Ellis Whitehouse
Welcome to the blog
Welcome to the blog, we will bring you more updates when we get them.