TWO crashes within two miles of eachother - both involving lorries - caused long delays in West Thurrock on Monday.

A container lorry tipped over at the Lancaster Roundabout near Lakeside shopping centre shortly after 10am and just over an hour later, two heavy goods vehicles collided as they made their way onto the A13 London-bound from junction 30 of the M25.

Both incidents caused significant diesel spillages. The first lead to Lancaster Roundabout - which links the A126 with Heron Way for Ikea and West Thurrock Way for the retail parks - being blocked. Motorists were unable to access the shopping centre from that roundabout as the stricken lorry lay on its side.

Police say the lorry’s load, which is not known, seemed to have shifted as the vehicle went round the roundabout. The driver was taken to Basildon Hospital, though his injuries were not serious.

The A13 entry slip was also closed as an articulated lorry carrying rolls of news print paper collided with another lorry. Neither driver was seriously injured.
Heavy congestion was reported as a result of the two accidents, with both roads blocked until around 3pm.

Peter Grubb, owner of Uncle Tom’s Cabin in Shoebury, was stuck at Costco as jams built up in the area.

He said: "It is absolutely jammed with people driving and not really knowing where they are going. I’ve given up,