A lane of the A12 remains shut as work continues on a burst water main close to its junction with Whitelands Way.
The London-bound lane has now been shut for six hours. An Essex and Suffolk Water spokesman confirmed the company was “doing all we can to complete the work as quickly as possible”. As of 6.20pm, she had no estimate for when the work would be complete, but added: “If it means carrying on working through the night, we will do.”
Police also shut the road around Gallows Corner shortly before midday after a car caught fire.
One fire engine from Harold Hill was sent to the scene, where the crew extinguished the blaze. There were no injuries reported but the car, a red Alfa Romeo, was described as a write-off.
The road was open for about half an hour before Essex and Suffolk shut it off again.
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