A BUSY Thurrock Road has been closed this afternoon (Thursday, 1 August) after a small collapse in the road suface and fracture of a water pipe.

It is also possible that gas is leaking from the scene and teams of engineers from both Cadent Gas and Essex and Suffolk Water are heading for the site, which is inially being marshalled by members of Essex Fire and Rescue and Thurrock Council's Highways team.

The alert was raised around 1pm when the water first started spurting from what became a small sink hole in the centre of the road.

It is likely that the road will be closed in both directions for several hours and possibly days as a full repair takes place.

A crew from White Watch at Grays Fire station attended, as well as staff from Thurrock Council Highways who have advised motorists to avoid the area. Access to adjacent roads north of East Thurrock Road is possible via Benson Road and Salisbury Road but through traffic faces a much longer diversion.

A statement from Essex Fire and Rescue said: "Crews were called to Kent Road, Grays at 1.33pm to reports of a collapsed roadway with water leaking from it.

"Firefighters shut the road and left the scene with Cadent."

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The scene at East Thurrock Road.

Council staff were on site helping manage the situation and traffic.