M61 traffic incident: closure between junctions 5 to 4 causes congestion near Bolton

Police have closed a motorway this morning (12 October) due to an ongoing incident.

The southbound carriageway of the M61 is shut between Junction 5 and Junction 4, near Bolton, while emergency services are at the scene.

Traffic is being held between junction 5 (Westhoughton) and junction 4 (Farnworth) and tailbacks are as far back as junction 6 at Horwich.

It has been described as a ‘police incident’ but no further details have been revealed.

Traffic on the northbound carriageway was briefly stopped at 8.45am, but this side has since reopened, and all lanes are now running.

Diversion Route

Those travelling southbound are advised to follow the Hollow Square diversion symbol on road signs:

- Leave the M61 at J5.

- At M61/A58 roundabout, take the third exit and follow the A58 for 1 mile.

- At A58/A6 roundabout, take the first exit onto A6 eastbound and follow for 2 miles.

- At A6/Watergate lane roundabout, take the 1st exit onto the link road to M61 and follow for less than a mile.

- At Watergate Lane/M61 Jct 4 roundabout, take the third exit and re-join the M61 southbound.