Goats on M5 force overnight closure and rescue mission
M5 traffic had to be stopped overnight (September 25) due to goats getting out on the motorway in the West Country. A tweet from National Highways at 1.42am said the animals were roaming around between junctions 28 (Cullompton) and 27 (Tiverton) on the Bristol-bound carriageway[1].
National Highways’ South West-based team said all traffic[2] was halted between the junctions in Devon while traffic officers and police dealt with the incident. It caused delays in the area with a warning issued to “allow extra journey time”, SomersetLive reports[3].
The tweet from National Highways said: ” “Traffic on the M5 northbound is stopped between J28 (Cullompton) and J27 (Tiverton) due to goats[4] on the carriageway. Traffic officers and police on scene. Delays are beginning to build on approach. Please allow extra journey time and thank you for your patience.”
Efforts were carried out to move the goats off the motorway, with an update from National Highways at 2.15am adding the full road closure had been reduced to a lane being cordoned off. A tweet said: “Update – Traffic has been released on the M5 northbound between J28 (Cullompton) and J27 Tiverton.
“A lane one (of three) closure remains in place at the scene. Please take care when passing the scene.”
Around an hour later, it was confirmed the animals had been herded up and removed from the M5. National Highways tweeted at 3.13am: “Update- The goats have been safely moved from the side of the carriageway and all lanes have been reopened on the M5 northbound between J28 Cullompton and J27 Tiverton.
“Delays clearing well in the area. Have a safe onward journey.”
References
- ^ Bristol-bound carriageway (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ traffic (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ SomersetLive reports (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
- ^ goats (www.bristolpost.co.uk)