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Acid spill off overturned lorry closes M11 near Stansted | Acid spill off overturned lorry closes M11 near Stansted |
(35 minutes later) | |
A lorry has overturned on a motorway in Essex and spilled a large amount of chemicals across both carriageways. | A lorry has overturned on a motorway in Essex and spilled a large amount of chemicals across both carriageways. |
The M11 has been shut in both directions between Harlow and Bishop's Stortford near Stansted Airport. | The M11 has been shut in both directions between Harlow and Bishop's Stortford near Stansted Airport. |
The chemicals have been identified as melamine formaldehyde resin and phosphoric acid, Essex Fire and Rescue Service said. | |
Firefighters have been advised they are not hazardous and Highways Agency clean-up crews are tackling the spill. | |
The motorway has been closed from junction 7 to 8 and motorists have been urged to avoid the area and find alternative routes. | |
"Diversions are in place but the road is likely to remain closed in both directions for some considerable time," a police spokesman said. | |
"Motorists going to Stansted Airport should plan alternative routes avoiding the motorway and allow plenty of extra time for their journeys." | |
Blocked drains | |
Divisional fire officer Terry Povey said: "The chemicals are low risk to the health of people and we are containing the leak. | |
"We have blocked the drains and are awaiting the arrival of a clean-up team. | |
"This has been downgraded because the chemicals do not pose a significant health risk. | |
"It is now a matter of getting the road cleared so it can reopen." | |
Essex Police said: "The fire service will be dealing with the spillage in liaison with the Environment Agency. | Essex Police said: "The fire service will be dealing with the spillage in liaison with the Environment Agency. |
"The ambulance service is treating the driver of the lorry, who has received cuts and bruises but is not believed to be seriously injured." | "The ambulance service is treating the driver of the lorry, who has received cuts and bruises but is not believed to be seriously injured." |
No other vehicles were involved in the crash which happened at 17:10 BST. | No other vehicles were involved in the crash which happened at 17:10 BST. |