A MAJOR Essex road has been closed in both directions as police deal with an incident.

The A12 is closed in both directions due to an ongoing incident at Hatfield Peverel.

Essex Police is on the scene.

A spokesman said: "We are dealing with an ongoing incident at A12, Hatfield Peverel, and the A12 is closed in both directions.

"Please avoid the area if you can. We will update as soon as we can.

"Thank you for your patience."

AA Traffic News is showing very slow traffic in the area due to the closure.

It is affecting traffic from Witham towards Chelmsford.

UPDATE - The road has reopened.

A spokesman for National Highways East said: "The Essex Police-led incident on the A12 between the B1137 (HatfieldPeverel) and the B1389 (Witham) has been safely resolved.

"The road has been reopened with residual delays on the approach."