THE M11 remains closed in both directions this evening (July 3) after an overturned lorry spilled a large amounts of chemicals across both carriageways.
UPDATE 10.30pm: Fire crews are assisting in recovering the vehicle. Chemicals remaining in the tanker are being decanted safely into another container. The road remains closed as the clean-up operation continues.Emergency services were called to the scene of the HGV that overturned at around 5.10pm today between junctions 7 and 8, Harlow to Bishops Stortford and Stansted Airport, northbound.
The accident caused a large spillage of, at this stage, an unknown liquid across the road and the motorway is now closed in both directions.
No other vehicles are believed to have been involved in the incident.
Fire crews from Harlow, Epping, Stansed and Grays are dealing with the spillage along with the Environment Agency.
The ambulance service are treating the driver of the tanker, who has received cuts and bruises but is not believed to be seriously injured.
Police are urging motorists to find alternative routes as there is already heavy traffic congestion and those caught up in the closure should stay with their vehicles and wait for instructions from the emergency services.
The Highways Agency advise northbound traffic to follow hollow diamond symbol on diversion signs, which will direct traffic to leave the M11 at junction 7 and take A414 through Harlow and continue west to A10, then take A10 north to Puckeridge and join A120 east to junction 8 of the M11.
Southbound traffic should follow the Hollow square diversion signs to follow the same route in reverse.
Updates on the road closures can be obtained from the Highways Agency website at www.highways.gov.uk.
