MOTORISTS have called for improvements to the road network after a “perfect storm” of crashes brought south Essex to a standstill.

Drivers were stranded in traffic jams for more than an hour as serious crashes closed the A12, A13 and A130 during the morning commute today.

An air ambulance doctor and paramedics treated two people after two lorries and two cars crashed on the A130 southbound between Howe Green and the Rettendon Turnpike.

Taxi driver Ralf Morgan, of Basildon Hackney Carriage Association, who was caught in the traffic, said: “The A12 definitely needs improvement, it’s a main route.

“If a lorry goes over it’s finished for the day.

“Another one is the M25. Although it has four lanes, you only have to a hiccup and it causes problems.

“When you have traffic like that the meter goes up and the customer starts to complain.”

The A13 Londonbound was closed after the M25 after two lorries crashed at about 6am, with delays right back to the Five Bells Interchange, at Basildon.

The A12 Londonbound closed shortly afterwards as a lorry overturned after How Green, with traffic quickly backing up to Witham.

Gridlock gripped the A127 and other south Essex roads as drivers sought an alternative route towards the capital.

Two patients were taken to Basildon Hospital, one with a suspected head injury and the other with minor injuries, after the pile up on the A130. Their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

The air ambulance landed on the dual carriageway as firefighters cut free a woman trapped by the crash.

Hauliers had to divert lorries away from the crashes scenes in a bid to meet delivery deadlines.

Dave Pack, director of transport and warehousing firm WND, on the Apollo Trading Estate, Basildon, said: “We could move our work around so we did it differently.

“What we planned to do this morning we kept for the afternoon.

“We went to Southend because it was a better option, then we are going to Rainham in the afternoon.”

 

MP: IMPROVEMENTS ARE ON THE WAY

 

AN MP has assured drivers the Government is investing money to improve Essex roads.

Stephen Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, admitted gridlock grips south Essex too often, but assured people help was on the way.

The Conservative said: “It shows how dependent we are on a robust and resilient road network.

“It only takes the smallest incident anywhere on the network to create a ripple effect that can have serious ramifications.

“Today was the perfect storm, with a combination of accidents that put pressure on the road network.

“That’s why the Government has recognised the need for investment and made money available for improvements to the A13 and A12.”

The Government has announced the entire length of the A12 between the A12 and Colchester will be made into three lanes, but has not said how much it will cost or when it will happen.

A £55million project to widen the A13 to four lanes in each direction at the junction with the M25, first announced in 2012, has begun.