Considerable congestion was reported on the A13 both east and westbound due to an accident close to the Five Bells roundabout which happened earlier this morning.

Drivers were advised to avoid the A13 if possible. An earlier statement said: "The A13 is currently blocked near the Five Bells Interchange following a multi-vehicle collision. Widespread delays of approximately 40 minutes are being reported as traffic continues to build."

A spokesperson for Essex Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were called to the A13 eastbound, near the Manorway junction, today at 8.38am.

"A crew from Basildon attended and found tow cars and a lorry had been involved in a collision. "No-one was trapped and firefighters assisted in making the scene safe.

"They left the scene shortly after 9am."

Police added: "Neil, looks like this is a three vehicle-collision reported to us at about 8.10am today. Two cars and a van, no injuries reported to us and no arrests, and appears to have cleared by 9.45am."

The traffic backlog was reported clear by 11am.