The A690 is to remain closed overnight after a tarmac spillage caused traffic chaos on the roads.
Police closed the A690 Southbound, Durham Road, from the A19 to Stonygate near Houghton-le-Spring at around 2.45pm on Tuesday due to the "large" spillage.
It was originally thought that the road would remain closed for most of the afternoon but Northumbria Police later confirmed it was expected to be closed until the next day.
The force tweeted: "The A690 carriageway from the A19 to Stonygate is currently closed. Expected to be closed until tomorrow. Diversions currently in place, please use an alternative route."
This was because "specialist clean-up work" was required to clear the road of the tarmac, causing severe delays around Houghton-le-Spring.
Traffic was brought to a standstill and queues were backed up on the A690 and surrounding roads including the A19 and the A183 as cars attempted to avoid the closure.
Photos and videos from the scene showed streams of queues and tailbacks as a single police car blocked the road.
Drivers were diverted north on the A19 and then told to use the A183 and A182 through Shiney Row, Philadelphia and New Bottle to rejoin the A690 at Houghton-le-Spring.
The closure also caused disruption on some Go North East bus services in Houghton-le-Spring but it is unclear when the road will roepen.
