TRAFFIC is flowing freely again on two of the county's roads after an overturned chemical tanker near Ipswich was recovered.

TRAFFIC is flowing freely again on two of the county's major roads as an overturned chemical tanker near Ipswich has been recovered.

Long delays brought havoc to the morning rush hour period following the accident on the roundabout linking the A12 and A14 at Copdock at about 6am.

A spokesman for Suffolk police said traffic is returning to normal as the lorry was recovered just after 1pm.

The force revealed that had there been a spill from the chemical load it could have posed an environmental hazard.

The chemical being carried in drums on board the lorry was a liquid form of calcium hydro chlorite-an industrial chemical.

A police spokeswoman said: “There was the potential to cause a hazard to the environment if it leaked but it didn't.”

Queues around the area quickly built up as police worked to recover the stricken vehicle from the road, while diversions were quickly put in place.

Their job was made more difficult when a second lorry broke down in the same area.

By 8am queues were stretching as far south as Tattingstone on the A137.

Evening Star reporter Naomi Cassidy, who travelled to the scene after the crash, said: “All I can see ahead of me is traffic.

“You know you're going slowly when a tractor passes you.”

The slip road where the accident happened was expected to be closed for some time while the vehicle was waiting to be recovered.

Police said the lorry's load of chemicals would have to be recovered before the lorry could be moved from the carriageway.

“We're unable to speculate how long that recovery will take,” a police spokesman said.

“Motorists are asked to steer clear of the area and to take an alternative route.”

The driver got out of the lorry before the emergency services arrived and was taken to Ipswich Hospital for treatment to minor injuries he sustained in the crash.

A Suffolk police spokesman said: “The lorry overturned as it was coming off the A14 westbound, heading towards the A12 southbound carriageway.

“As emergency vehicles were on the scene, local diversions were put in place.”

A lorry overturned in a similar spot on March 18, which led to lengthy tailbacks.