Traffic lights are now in place at a busy junction which was gridlocked yesterday morning after emergency repairs to a burst water main.

The junction of Rectory Lane and Church Hill in Loughton was closed in both directions from Sunday afternoon, causing tailbacks as far as Debden and the Wake Arms roundabout.

A spokesman for Thames Water said the leak was reported by police on Saturday.

Investigations into the source of the leak took place all day yesterday and repairs were due to take place last night.