TRAFFIC is heavy and slow moving through Maldon and Heybridge this afternoon (Friday, 25 September) following a diesel spill.

The A414 Heybridge Approach road was closed at around 1pm.

Drivers reported the smell of vehicle fuel in the air close to the spill, which is thought to have leaked from a truck using the road, shortly before the closure.

A spokesman for Essex County Council said: "An Essex Highways urgent response team have been despatched to the site and they should be on site now.

"They will assist the fire brigade and police to mop up the spillage and we understand the fire brigade have already put down materials to help that process.

"Essex Highways team is assisting the clear-up and checking the road surface to see if it has been damaged by the fuel."

Traffic remained heavy throughout the area at the time of this report (2.50pm) as a highways tanker and jetting service vehicle was seen making its way to the scene.