Motorists are advised to avoid the A12 following a serious crash at around 4pm this afternoon involving a lorry.
Police closed the road in both directions at Witham between junction 19 at Boreham and junction 25 at Marks Tey after the accident.
Essex Traffic Control Centre is now reporting that the northbound carriageway has re-opened to traffic.
The southbound carriageway will remain closed for several hours.
The incident involved a HGV which is believed to have fallen onto the Southbound carriageway from Coleman's Bridge at Witham.
The bridge is also closed.
It is understood that the lorry caught fire and emergency services, including the air ambulance, are at the scene.
No details of injuries have yet been released.
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