• Essex and East London
  • Available 24/7
+447342850180

Broken Down on the A12, A13 or A127? What to Do in Essex

By Axi Recovery October 29, 2026IconBreakdown Safety

If you break down on the A12, A13 or A127, move onto a lay-by, the verge or a slip road if you can, switch on your hazard lights and get out on the side away from the traffic. Stand well back from the road, and call 999 if you feel in danger. Then call for recovery and give your direction of travel and the nearest junction.

These three roads carry most of the traffic between London and Essex. They are not motorways, so a few rules are different, but the speed and volume of traffic make them just as dangerous to stop on.

All three roads meet the M25. If you are on the motorway itself, see what to do if you break down on the M25. If it is dark, read how to stay safe when you break down at night.

Step by step

  1. Get off the carriageway. Use the next exit, a lay-by or a wide verge. The Highway Code (rule 276) says to get your vehicle off the road if possible.
  2. Hazard lights on. Use them if your vehicle is causing an obstruction. In the dark or in poor visibility, keep your sidelights on too.
  3. Get out away from the traffic, with your passengers, and stand well back, behind a barrier if there is one.
  4. Warning triangle: only if it is safe. On ordinary roads the Highway Code allows a triangle at least 45 metres (147 feet) behind your vehicle. On a fast dual carriageway, don’t walk along the road to place one if that puts you at risk.
  5. Call 999 if you are stuck in a live lane or feel in danger.
  6. Call recovery once you are safe.

How to tell us where you are

On a dual carriageway it is easy to be a mile out, which can cost time. When you call, tell us:

  • the road and direction: for example “A127 towards Southend” or “A12 towards London”
  • the last junction or roundabout you passed
  • anything you can see: a sign, a bridge, a petrol station, a business name
  • a what3words or map pin from your phone, if you have one

Where these roads run

A12

The A12 runs from East London through Ilford and past Romford to M25 junction 28 at Brentwood, then on past Chelmsford and Witham towards Colchester. Around Chelmsford and Witham it is a fast bypass with numbered junctions. See Brentwood, Chelmsford and Witham.

A13

The A13 runs east from London through Barking and Dagenham, past Grays and Thurrock, along the south of Basildon and into Southend. See Barking, Dagenham, Grays and Basildon.

A127

The A127 starts at Gallows Corner in Romford, crosses the M25 at junction 29 near Upminster, runs along the north of Basildon and ends in Southend. See Romford, Upminster and Southend-on-Sea.

What to do while you wait

  • Stay behind the barrier or well up the verge, not between your car and the traffic.
  • Keep your phone charged and your hazard lights on.
  • If the weather is bad, wait somewhere safe away from the road rather than in the car, unless getting out is unsafe.

AXI Recovery covers the A12, A13 and A127 across Essex and East London, 24/7, and takes your vehicle to any garage or address you choose. See all areas we cover.

Call +44 7342 850180 once you are safe.

Related guides

Sources

img

Axi Recovery

Comments are closed