Tailbacks stretched for miles on the A23 this morning after an overturned trailer slowed rush-hour traffic to a crawl.
Both northbound lanes were blocked after a Land Rover and trailer overturned in pouring rain and driving winds.
The accident, which happened at about 7.30am at Handcross, caused chaos as commuters tried to find another way round.
Queues backed as far as the Haywards Heath turn-off.
Traffic trickled through on the hard shoulder as police arrived to clear the road amid wet and windy weather.
Officers considered closing the road while the damaged trailer was removed, but they were able to work and still let traffic through.
Many drivers chose to leave the A23 at Hassocks and cut through villages to avoid the jams.
The road was cleared shortly after 9am.
The driver of the Land Rover was not injured.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article