TODAY (Friday, 3 November) proved to be a very busy on in Thurrock for the emergency services as they dealt with a number of incidents that left motorists frustrated with lengthy delays - particularly around the Lakeside area.

The afternoon's delays were caused in part by a collision on the arterial road near the Harvester restaurant.

A statement from Essex Police said: "We were called to Arterial Road, near Grays at around 2:30pm on Saturday, 3 November following reports of a collision involving two vehicles.

"Three people were taken to hospital with minor injuries.

"The road remained partially closed until around 5pm when the vehicles were recovered."

No sooner had traffic started to ease than a major crash happened on the A13 when a vehicle crashed through the central barrier onto an opposing carriageway causing the road to be blocked in both directions.

An Essex County Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "Firefighters were called to a road traffic collision on the A13 at the Stifford Interchange at 6:23pm.

"Crews worked to make the scene safe by 7:08pm."

It is not reported that anyone was seriously injured.