A MAN arrested in connection with an incident which shut down a busy main road for several hours, remains in custody, police have said.

Motorists were left stuck on the A12 for as long as six hours yesterday after the road was closed following concerns for the safety of a man.

The road was closed in both directions between Marks Tey and Colchester United from 11.15am until about 6.30pm.

Essex Police had been called to worrying reports of a “man on a bridge” near junction 26 – the Eight Ash Green interchange.

The closure also had a knock-on effect across the county’s roads, with a road closure also put in place at the Boreham interchange.

Police officers confirmed he was brought to safety at about 4.50pm, though it took nearly two hours for the road to re-open in both directions and traffic remained heavy across Colchester and the surrounding areas throughout the evening.

Gazette: Traffic - queues on the A12Traffic - queues on the A12 (Image: Public)

Officers investigating the incident have now arrested a man in his 50s on suspicion of intentionally and recklessly causing a public nuisance.

Police bosses have now confirmed to the Gazette the force has yet to charge anyone in connection with the incident but the man remains in custody.

A spokesman said officers worked as quickly as possible to re-open the busy road.

He added: “Officers attended and worked to resolve the situation as quickly and as safely as possible.

“This meant the road had to be closed for the safety of all those involved, including road users.

“The man was brought to safety at around 4.50pm and the road was re-opened.

Gazette: Stuck - drivers were stranded on the A12 for hoursStuck - drivers were stranded on the A12 for hours (Image: Public)

“A man in his 50s has been arrested on suspicion of intentionally and recklessly causing a public nuisance and is in custody.”

The nature of the man’s actions are not yet known.

As a result of the A12 incident, many motorists found themselves stuck in standstill traffics for hours on end.

Jus Carroll said: [I spent] four and a half hours on that road for a journey that usually takes 30 mins.

"I left work at 2.30pm and got home just after 7pm."

Another driver told the Gazette shortly after lunchtime they had not moved “for two hours”, adding they “hadn’t seen anyone going the other way” for equally as long.

Steve Mann, meanwhile, said: "Horrendous day. Every road anywhere in south and west Colchester was gridlocked for hours."