A crash has shut the A19 in County Durham in both directions, causing major delays.

It's happened on the A19 between the junctions with the A182 for Murton and the A181.

All four lanes of the A19 in both directions were closed to traffic to enable emergency services - including the air ambulance - to work at the scene.

One lane each on the north and southbound carriageways have now reopened but long queues have built up in the area, causing delays of around 20 minutes.

Traffic has also built up on nearby roads as motorists try and avoid the A19.

National Highways says it doesn't expect traffic to return to normal for another two hours.

A spokesman for the Great North Air Ambulance said: "Our critical care team were activated at 8.12am to reports of a road traffic collision on the A19 near Murton.

"They arrived on scene at 8.23am and our paramedic and doctor assessed a patient before they were diverted to another incident at 8.47am."

A spokesman for Durham Police said: "Lane one has now been reopened on each carriageway.

"Please drive carefully as lane two will remain closed for repairs to the barriers. Thank you for your patience.

"We are receiving multiple calls to an incident on both sides of the A19 near Easington with the road likely to be closed for some time.

"Road users are asked to avoid the area and find an alternative route whilst we deal with this incident."

Diversions in place:

Motorists travellingnorthbound are advised to follow the solid square diversion symbol on road signs.

Exit the northbound A19 and follow the exit slip road around until it reaches the roundabout
with the A182.

At the roundabout, take the first exit onto the A182, which leads directly onto the
B1283.

At the crossroads, turn left onto the B1432 and follow northbound for 2.5 miles.

At the junction at the end of the road, turn left onto the B1285
and travel south-west for 400m until the roundabout with the A19 and take the third exit onto
the entry slip road to re-join the northbound A19.

Road users travelling southbound are advised to follow the solid diamond diversion symbol on road signs.

Exit the southbound A19 onto the exit slip road for the A182 Cold Hesledon.

At the top of the slip road, take the third exit off the roundabout onto the B1285, and then take the third exit at the next roundabout, continuing on the B1285.

After 500m, take the last exit off the roundabout onto the B1285 and after 400m, take the junction onto the B1432.

Travel south-east on the B1432 for 2.5 miles and at the junction; turn right on the B1283 heading west.

Continue for 700m on the B1283 then turn right onto the entry slip road to re-join the A19.

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