Weather forecasters are predicting heavy rain will last for most of the day in parts of Suffolk and north Essex – prompting safety warnings for drivers.
Motorists are being urged to take extra care this morning as there is a large amount of surface water on the majority of routes, including main roads such as the A14, A12, A120 and A140.
Here are some of the incidents we have been made aware of as of 12pm:
• Kirton Road in Trimley St Martin was closed earlier today after police received reports of a serious crash.
A car hit a tree but the person involved suffered minor injuries and the road has since re-opened.
• The A134 is shut at the Barnham crossroads after a two car crash, which is also being described as “serious” by police.
A woman has been airlifted to hospital with serious injuries, but the condition of the other woman involved is not yet clear.
• A man in his 20s has been taken to hospital after a crash on the A1071 near Hadleigh.
• Two lanes are now closed on the A14 at Rougham, between junctions 44 and 45 on the eastbound carriageway.
This is to allow Highways England contractors to inspect the carriageway.
Drivers are currently using the exit slip road at junction 45 to go around the damaged road surface.
They are then rejoining across the chevrons before the exit.
• The A133 (Cowdray Avenue) in Colchester is now clear after it became flooded this morning.
• Two lanes have reopened on the A12 southbound near Colchester between Stanway and Marks Tey after an earlier accident.
• Station Road in Claydon has reopened after flooding.
• A swan on the rail line between Manningtree and Colchester delayed trains by up to 10 minutes this morning but this has since cleared.
Experts believe the rain will continue until at least 4pm today, with some showers turning into downpours and thunderstorms later on.
There are no Met Office flood warnings in place at this time, but chiefs said they will be monitoring the situation and updating their website as and when circumstances change.
Essex Weather Centre tweeted this morning: “Large amounts of surface water on all routes across Essex during this morning’s rush-hour – please take extra care.”
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