Cow 'chilling' on M62 causes disruption for travellers

Yesterday evening (August 12) saw delays on the M62 after an escaped cow was seen eating grass on the hard shoulder of the busy carriageway

clock • 1 min read
Cow on hard shoulder of M62. (Image: @davejackbantam on X)
Image:

Cow on hard shoulder of M62. (Image: @davejackbantam on X)

Traffic was stopped on the westbound carriageway, which was closed off between J22 for Rishworth Moor and J21 for Milnrow with both sides of the motorway later closed off. 

By 6pm there were at least six miles of congestion on the westbound carriageway, and two miles of traffic on the eastbound side. 

READ MORE: Pig regulations to come into force today (August 13): What pig farmers need to know

Highways Officers along with police were called to the scene to assist with managing traffic as congestion built throughout rush hour. 

A motorist took to X to say: "M62 blocked due to a cow chilling at the side of the motorway." 

Another posted: "Nightmare travel today. Currently sat on the M62 between J22 and J21 westbound due to a cow in the middle of the motorway. Police have stopped all vehicles, we have been here for around 30 minutes already."

According to the Manchester Evening News, witnesses seen the police chasing the cow with a broom in efforts to move it.  

Fans travelling to see Bradford City AFC yesterday were issued with a travel warning ahead of the club's game against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, as National Highways equally warned of 'severe delays'. 

READ MORE: Q&A with a farm vet: Look out for lungworm this summer

An update from National Highways said: "Traffic is stopped both ways on the M62 between J22 (Denshaw) and J21 (Rochdale) whilst a cow at the side of the carriageway is safely returned to its field. 

"There are long delays in the area in both directions with 6 miles congestion westbound and 2 miles eastbound." 

All traffic was released around 6.40pm.

NEW AND REFURBISHED MILK TANKS

NEW AND REFURBISHED MILK TANKS

VIEW ADVERT
£POA

DOWNGRADE MILK & CREAM

DOWNGRADE MILK & CREAM

VIEW ADVERT
£POA

New & Used Bulk Milk Tanks

New & Used Bulk Milk Tanks

VIEW ADVERT
£POA

More on Farm Life

Welsh MP combines dairy farming with politics

Welsh MP combines dairy farming with politics

West Wales farmer Ann Davies MP has returned to Westminster after reflecting on an extraordinary first year in Parliament, juggling her farm work with politics

Gaina Morgan
clock 13 November 2025 • 8 min read
Farmers to mount Budget day London tractor protest

Farmers to mount Budget day London tractor protest

Group organisers warn Gov it faces a 'winter of discontent' over its treatment of family farms

clock 12 November 2025 • 1 min read
John Deere hosts online military hiring programme for service leavers

John Deere hosts online military hiring programme for service leavers

The free event will take place on Wednesday December 3 and aims to help service leavers understand how their skills transfer into careers working with advanced agricultural and turf machinery

clock 11 November 2025 • 2 min read