TWO accidents involving multiple vehicles and fuel spills have stopped traffic on the A13 and the Dartford Crossing.

The A13 Londonbound has been closed between the A128 Orsett Cock and Dock Approach junctions while highways and fire officers clear up 200 litres of diesel which has spilled from a lorry when it collided with two cars at about 12.30pm.

Two fire crews from Orsett and one from Grays attended the accident, in which they reported no-one was trapped.

A council spokesman said officers had reported it could be two to three hours before the spillage is cleared.

Queues are also building on the opposite carriageway and drivers have been warned to avoid the area.

At at about the same time, two lanes of the west bore tunnel at the Dartford Crossing were closed after four lorries collided while in the tunnel.

A spokesman from the Highways Agency reported at least one of the lorries was leaking fuel and that officers were working on recovering the vehicles while also conducting a structural test on the tunnel.

No-one is believed to have been injured.

Update: Lane one of the A13 is still closed between Orsett Cock and Dock Approach junctions but all lanes will close this evening and next evening for emergency resurfacing.