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

13 August 2025 • 1 min read

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.

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'.

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.