A VEHICLE fire is causing long delays on a major road.

The A12 northbound carriageway is blocked between junction 19, Boreham/A138, and junction 20, Hatfield Peverel/B1137, following a vehicle fire at about 3.20pm. 

Two fire crews attended and temporarily shut the road so they could safely deal with the incident. 

Firefighters had dealt with the incident by 3:35pm.

UPDATED 5pm - all lanes have now reopened.