A MAJOR south Essex road has re-opened after long delays as a lorry hit and "sheered off" a large tree branch.

Bread and Cheese Hill, on the A13 London Road in Benfleet, was closed earlier today after a lorry hit a large tree branch in the road and sheered it off.

The closure remained in place while the branch was cleared by Essex Highways and a resident with a chainsaw.

Specialist tree surgeons were also sent to the site as another large branch was weakened by the incident. 

The closure has since been lifted, the other branch was brought down safely and the road is now clear.

Providing the update, Andrew Sheldon, Essex County Council councillor for South Benfleet, said: "The other large branch weakened by the incident earlier has been brought down safely.

"The last bits are being chipped on site and when the road has been swept it will be reopened."

The road was re-opened at around 4.30pm.