Victoria Avenue partially closed earlier this afternoon after a huge tree fell into the road blocking up the pathway and one lane on the dual carriageway.

No one is thought to have been hurt - luckily! 

The busy main road was affected by tailbacks but police and tree surgeons were on the scene within 30 minutes, according to an office worker.

Police put safety measures and diversions in place and cars were also restricted from turning down Victoria Avenue from Queensway.

Braintree and Witham Times:

Credit: Phil Hubbard. Image taken from 14th floor of office building

Phil Hubbard, was working in one of the offices at Victoria Avenue, when he saw the tree in the road.

He said: "The tree was outside the building I work in. I didn't see it fall down. 

"I happened to be outside my office and I didn't even see it initially and there was this bloke walking in middle of the road, and I thought 'don't do that!'

"Then on the opposite carriageway going into Southend there was a police car and I thought he's going to get himself nicked!

"Then I saw the guy was walking in the road because the lane had already been blocked off by police, then I turned round and thought 'oh blimey there's a tree down!'

"Guys with huge chainsaws were there within 30 minutes chipping it all up and taking it away."

Pictures show the tree appears to have come out from the roots underneath the footpath at a taxi rank, close to Rush Gym.

Braintree and Witham Times:

Credit: Phil Hubbard

Essex Police and Southend Council have been contacted for comment.