Shropshire Star

M6 reopens after two cows fell off lorry into the road causing closure

The M6 motorway through the Black Country was closed in both directions between Junction 7 and Junction 10 on Tuesday morning due to two cows falling off a lorry into the road.

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Traffic signs along the M6 read "Animals in road - SLOW" as images showed the motorway completely empty in both directions.

Two cows were said to fallen out of the lorry they were being transported in, with one cow between Junctions 8 and 9 south of Walsall, whilst the other cow between Junctions 9 and 10 west of Walsall.

Drivers were being warned to avoid the area as the incident was dealt with.

CMPG (Central Motorway Police Group) said on Twitter: "We have two injuried cows in the carriageway two miles apart that have fallen from a lorry.

"Both southbound and northbound closed whilst we try get the injured cows off the motorway safely. Last thing we want is for them to bolt into moving traffic"

The motorway reopened around midday, but drivers still face delays of up to 60 minutes in both directions.

Cows on the M6 near Stoke. Photo: National Highways

This comes following another incident over the weekend which saw the M6 come to a standstill between Junctions 15 and 16 due to another cow on the carriageway.

A spokesperson from National Highways said: "Two cows have escaped from a vehicle they were being transported in. One is currently between junction 8 and 9 and another between 9 and 10. Police are leading on the incident and will be able to give you more detail.

"We are in the process of setting up diversions and I’ll update you once I have that detail.

"We currently have delays of 30 minutes in both directions."

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