Police have put a diversion in place this afternoon (Saturday) on the Cornwall-Devon border following a collision on the A30 between Launceston and Okehampton at lunchtime.

It is understood that the collision was between a tractor and a car at the Sourton Cross junction west of Okehampton, where the A386 from Tavistock joins the A30. Devon and Cornwall Police say they were called to the incident shortly before 1pm.

The air ambulance is reported to have landed at the scene and police officers have closed the A30 in both directions between the junction with the A388 at Launceston and the junction with the A386 at Sourton while dealing with the accident scene.

The diversion in place for motorists, from the Launceston direction, is via Lifton, Lewdown and Bridestowe on the route formerly classified as the A30 before the modern dual carriageway was built.

There were initially reports of long traffic queues on the A30 but at 3.10pm the live traffic and travel website Inrix reported: "A30 in both directions closed due to accident, a tractor and a car involved from A386 ( Sourton Cross, Sourton Down) to A388 Tavistock Road (Launceston). Traffic is coping well. Road closed between Launceston and Okehampton for an accident that has happened on the westbound side. Air Ambulance has attended and the eastbound side is in the process of being reopened. Diversion - via Bridestowe, Lewdown and Lifton westbound. Reverse the route eastbound."

Highways England has since posted a message that the A30 is not expected to reopen fully until 6.30pm, adding: “The event is expected to clear between 18:30 and 18:45 on 6 March 2021."

Police are said to be engaged in helping turning around motorists currently trapped in the queues on either side of the accident scene. There have also been reports of not one but two air ambulances attending the incident.