Motorists were badly hit as north Essex suffered a day of flooding.
The A12 was closed London-bound for most of the day yesterday and motorists on more minor roads also found their journeys seriously disrupted.
Colchester Road at Tiptree, Heybridge and Birch were all hit by the rising levels, and Chappel and White Colne residents also had water lapping at their doors.
The decision to shut the A12 either side of Kelvedon was taken by police yesterday morning after minor accidents on the treacherously wet road.
Motorists were forced to follow diversions, adding miles to their journeys.
Later in the day Essex Police advised people only to travel if "absolutely necessary" after a woman was killed in a crash in south Essex.
An Essex Police spokesman said the A12 re-opened at about 10pm last night.
Published Thursday, January 2, 2003
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