MOTORISTS are being advised to find alternative routes after a crash and a lorry suffered a blowout on the A19.

Northumbria Police say they are dealing with a collision on both the northbound and southbound carriageways of the A19 junction of the A1231.

North East Live Traffic, part of the North East Combined Authority, said the lorry had suffered the blow out on the southbound carriageway, and there was an accident on the northbound carriageway.

A force spokesperson said: “At around 11.42am today, police received a report of a road traffic collision on the A19 northbound close to the junction of the A1231 in Washington.

“Two vehicles were in collision after a HGV travelling on the opposite carriageway suffered a tyre blowout.

“Nobody suffered any serious injuries and a clean-up operation is ongoing.

“The road is congested in both directions and drivers are asked to use an alternative route where possible.”