Police were sent to the rescue after a sheep escaped an adjoining field and wandered onto the M61.
The motorway was closed earlier this morning (December 5), as officers helped safely remove the ram from the motorway and ease it back into the field.
Traffic stopped on the M61 in both directions between junction 6 (Bolton) and junction 8 (Chorley).
Traffic has now been released but there are three miles of congestion following the incident.
Traffic is stopped on the #M61 in both directions between J6 #Bolton and J8 #Chorley due to an animal on the network. @LancsPolice and Traffic Officers are on scene.
— National Highways: North-West (@HighwaysNWEST) December 5, 2022
Delays building in both directions. Please allow extra travel time if in the area. pic.twitter.com/txom9yoLUB
National Highways: North West have advised motorists to allow time for delays to ease.
A spokesperson for the police said: “There was a ram on the carriageway, got out from an adjoining field. Motorway was closed to help with safe removal. It’s now back in a field being attended to.”
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 The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.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 here