A lorry driver has been disqualified following a crash.

It happened on the A130 and costs tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage.

The lorry crashed into a barrier on the northbound carriageway near to the Rettendon Turnpike and a large amount of fuel spilt across the carriageway.

The northbound side had to be closed while repairs were carried out.

The driver of the lorry, Miroslav Hochman, 57, from the Czech Republic, was arrested and charged with dangerous driving and using a mobile phone while driving.

At Chelmsford Crown Court on September 20 he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three months in prison suspended for 18 months, disqualified from driving for 12 months, ordered to pay £300 costs and a £115 victim surcharge.

The cost of the repairs to the damage to the road, which totals more than £57,000, is being claimed off Hochman’s company.

Investigating officer PC Jonathan McDonald said: “This investigation utilised a vast amount of resources owing to the dangerous actions of Miroslav Hochman.

“It was a serious collision and it is fortunate no-one was injured.

“I would like to thank the residents that live nearby and those that use the A130, whose journeys were disrupted whilst we dealt with this incident.

“Essex Police Roads Policing Teams will take robust action against any professional drivers who take risks of this nature.”

It happened at around 12.55pm on Tuesday, August 21.