A major A19 crash has forced the closure of the dual carriageway in both directions between Portrack Interchange and Billingham Bottoms, causing severe rush-hour delays for motorists in Teesside.
The collision was reported on Tuesday morning during peak travel time, with emergency services responding and traffic queues quickly building back towards the A174.
Drivers travelling through the area have been urged to avoid the route and use alternatives.
The closure affects traffic between the A1046 Haverton Hill Road (Portrack Interchange) and the A139 (Norton Interchange), one of the busiest stretches of the A19 for commuters, freight drivers, and airport travellers.
What happened in the A19 crash near Portrack and Billingham?
The A19 is closed in both directions following a reported crash on the northbound section between Portrack and Billingham.
Cleveland Police confirmed the closure in a public update, warning drivers that the road may remain shut for some time.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the force said: “ROAD CLOSURE! The A19 is currently closed in both directions between Portrack and the A139 at Billingham Bottoms.
The road is expected to remain closed for some time, following a report of a collision. Please use alternative routes, and thank you for your patience.”
Police have not yet confirmed the number of vehicles involved or whether anyone has been injured.
Where exactly is the A19 closed, and which junctions are affected?
The closure covers a key stretch of the A19 between:
- A1046 Haverton Hill Road (Portrack Interchange)
- A139 Norton Interchange (Billingham Bottoms)
This means traffic heading both northbound and southbound through the area is currently unable to pass through.
The affected route links major Teesside areas, including Middlesbrough, Stockton, Billingham and Hartlepool, and it also serves key industrial zones and commuter routes.
How bad are delays after the A19 crash?
Traffic monitoring services report serious congestion across surrounding roads, with queues building rapidly.
AA Traffic reported congestion stretching back to the A174, while delays have also been seen on connecting routes through Stockton.
According to AA Traffic figures, delays have reached:
- Up to 24 minutes on the A19 southbound
- Average speed of just 10mph in affected sections
The #A19 in #CountyDurham is closed in both directions between the A139 and the A1046 due to a Police led incident.@ClevelandPolice are currently on scene. National Highways Traffic Officers are dealing with traffic management.
More information to follow. pic.twitter.com/NMSEKxfz2Q
— National Highways: North-East (@HighwaysNEAST) February 9, 2026
AA Traffic stated: “Severe delays of 24 minutes on A19 Southbound between A689 Coal Lane (Wolviston) and A1046 Haverton Hill Road (Portrack Interchange). Average speed 10 mph.”
Meanwhile, traffic service Inrix reported: “The A19 Northbound closed, long delays due to accident from A1046 Haverton Hill Road (Portrack Interchange) to A139 (Norton Interchange). Congestion to the A174.”
Heavy traffic has also been reported on Durham Road Southbound, particularly between the A177 and the A1305 Maritime Road, as drivers attempt to divert away from the closure.
Why does this A19 crash matter for Teesside commuters?
This stretch of the A19 is a major transport artery for Teesside, especially during morning rush hour.
The closure could impact:
- Commuters travelling between Stockton and Middlesbrough
- HGV and delivery traffic heading to industrial estates
- Drivers heading to Teesport and nearby logistics hubs
- School run routes and local bus services
Even short closures on this part of the A19 often create knock-on traffic across nearby roads, including the A66, A174, and A689.
Local commuters have also reported frequent bottlenecks in the area during peak hours, meaning any collision tends to escalate delays quickly.
Which alternative routes can drivers use while the A19 remains closed?
Drivers are being urged to plan ahead and avoid the area completely if possible.
Suggested diversion routes may include:
- A66 (for east-west travel)
- A689 through Wolviston towards Billingham
- A177 for Stockton and Durham Road routes
- Local diversion roads via Norton and Stockton town routes
However, traffic services warn that diversion roads are already seeing increased congestion.
Motorists heading north towards Hartlepool or south towards Middlesbrough may face delays even after leaving the A19 due to volume spillover.
How long will the A19 closure last?
Cleveland Police said the road is expected to remain closed “for some time”, suggesting recovery operations and investigation work may take longer than a typical minor collision.
At this stage, no official reopening time has been announced.
Drivers should expect disruption to continue until police and highways teams:
- remove damaged vehicles
- clear debris
- Confirm the road is safe to reopen
What should motorists do if they are stuck in traffic?
If you are currently caught in A19 queues, road safety guidance remains clear:
- Stay in your vehicle unless instructed otherwise
- Do not attempt illegal U-turns or use hard shoulders
- Keep emergency access routes clear
- Follow diversion signs and police instructions
- Use live traffic updates before rerouting
Drivers should also consider delaying travel where possible, especially for non-essential journeys.
