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Car fire may disrupt journeys to Timberlake gig

Owen Ward/BBC Black smoke rising above trees into the sky at Chelmsford City Racecourse. In front of the trees is a large car park with many cars. In front of them is a low-lying red roofed building. People can be seen walking up to a tented entrance to the venue. Owen Ward/BBC
Police are advising gig-goers to plan their journey as a result of the vehicle and grass fire, which temporarily closed the A131 in both directions

People heading to a music festival headlined by Justin Timberlake have been warned to expect travel delays due to a car fire.

Crews were called to the blaze at about 18:35 BST, near the Tesco roundabout on the A131 at Great Notley in Essex.

The fire affected about 400 yards (365m) of surrounding grassland, temporarily closing the road in both directions, a spokesperson for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said.

Up to 25,000 people are expected to watch artists at Chelmsford City Live throughout the weekend.

Timberlake is due to headline the event at Chelmsford City Racecourse on Friday; Duran Duran top the bill on Saturday, and Olly Murs is due to headline on Sunday.

At 20:15, a stretch of the southbound carriageway was still closed.

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