A gas leak in Capel St Mary had closed the off slip road on the A12 southbound, towards Colchester, but the road is now open.
Police warned motorists of possible congestion following the incident. Bentley Road was closed in both directions between the Old London Road junction and the A12 slip road at J32a.
National Grid Maintenance crews attended and fixed the leak. The road remained closed from around 4pm until 10pm.
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