TWO crashes have brought traffic to a standstill on the A14 this afternoon, threatening chaos at rush hour.

The accidents happened near to the Copdock interchange in the east and westbound directions.

At around 4.20pm a car and a lorry collided on the east bound slip road.

Emergency services were called to the scene and traffic has started to build up, backing up towards Ipswich town centre.

Meanwhile a lorry has shed its load in the westbound carriageway of the A14, just before the Copdock junction at about 5pm.

A Suffolk police spokesman said the accidents have caused “chaos” with large bits of steel in the road.

The lorry was believed to be carrying steel metal beams.

Tail backs are expected in both directions.