Second pile-up on A19 in East Durham causes severe delays this morning

Four vehicles are reported to have collided, blocking the A19 in Shotton, with traffic queuing northbound at the A181 junction.

The latest incident follows a three-vehicle smash - which happened on the same carriageway at about 8.30am near Peterlee.

Emergency services report that the last vehicle was removed from the scene at about 10.10am, however motorists were still stuck in residual queues.

One lane was closed at the junction with the A182 at Easington after the crash.

There was initial reports of queuing traffic northbound and congestion to the B1320 Burnhope Way / Mill Hill junction, affecting traffic between Peterlee and Seaham.

However, drivers also reported being at a standstill as far south as Hartlepool.

There was also slow moving traffic southbound, due to drivers rubbernecking at the crash scene.

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service tweeted: "A19 NB Easington: Peterlee crews have attended a road traffic collision involving 3 vehicles. 2 male adults suffered minor injuries."