One lane on the A12 northbound has now reopened after a serious collision at Kelvedon this morning.
A Mitsubishi Shogun left the northbound carriageway while travelling over a bridge and landed on the B1024, shortly after 1am this morning (Tuesday).
Emergency services were called to the scene and a woman in her 30s was taken to hospital with what are believed to be life-threatening injuries.
A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving a motor vehicle while unfit through drink or drugs, taking without consent, and having no insurance and no licence.
Lane one of the carriageway remains shut for temporary repairs to the barrier to take place.
A 50mph speed limit has been put in place – and longer term repairs are planned to take place overnight.
The road underneath the bridge has also reopened.
The A12 between Chelmsford and Colchester is being widened to three lanes with junction improvements. Highways England is due to publish its preferred route option this autumn.
Craig Martin, chairman of Kelvedon Parish Council, said: “The village was totally snarled up with traffic coming through. Drivers were going down Hollow Road which is only a country lane, and with road works with traffic lights on the High Street it was all happening at once.
“We get this problem every time the A12 is shut. Unfortunately accidents do happen and cause a certain amount of chaos. Kelvedon, and the old A12, is not designed for the A12 traffic of today.
“Proposed developments in the area will make it a terrific nightmare unless the infrastructure is improved – it is critical, otherwise the place will grind to a complete halt.
“Depending on the new A12 route, the existing bypass could itself be bypassed, and be a relief road if the A12 shuts.
“Critical to all this is access, even if you do widen the A12. Neither junction is multi-directional, and a new access road to Tiptree is needed. We could do with that before the A12 is widened.”
He added there had been discussions about putting double yellow lines along the High Street to remove pinch-points, but that parked cars acted to prevent the route being used as a rat run.
Firefighters from Tiptree, Witham and Chelmsford were also called to the scene.
Crews assisted the ambulance service with one female casualty, who was left in the care of paramedics.
The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) sent two rapid response vehicles, two ambulance crews, an ambulance officer, and a response car from the East Anglian Air Ambulance.
The treated a woman, who had suffered a serious back injury and wrist injury.
She was taken to Broomfield Hospital and was later transferred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital for further care.
A man with minor injuries was taken to Broomfield Hospital for further treatment.
Detective Sergeant Adam High, from the serious collision investigation unit, said: “Speed restrictions are still in place in the area as work to repair the barrier takes place.
“I would urge drivers to plan their journeys and drive considerately as they use that stretch of road.
“I want to thank the public for their patience and understanding.”
Anyone with dash cam footage who may have been near the area at the time of the incident, or who saw what happened, should call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01245 240590 or email them here.
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