Drivers have been stuck for hours on the M61 motorway as police deal with a 'concern for safety' incident.
Police closed the motorway in both directions between junction nine for Brindle and junction six for Horwich at around 5.40pm tonight (Monday).
Officers at Lancashire Police described it as a 'concern for safety' incident.
The southbound carriageway remains closed from junction nine this evening and has a minor diversion on the northbound carriageway at junction eight.
Motorists have been trapped in traffic on the motorway for several hours while police deal with the incident.
One driver told the MEN had he has been stuck on the motorway for at least three hours.
Another driver said on Twitter that he has been stuck for over two hours with 'not a lot happening'.
Pictures show long queues of stationary cars on the carriageway.
Some motorists had their car doors open and were stood out on the road.
A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said on Twitter: "The M61 is currently closed close to Junction 8 while we deal with a concern for safety incident.
"We would ask all motorists to avoid the area if possible and to find alternative routes. We will update as soon as we can."
Just after 7pm, Highways England posted on their website: "The M61 in Greater Manchester is closed southbound between J9 Clayton Brook Interchange with the M65 and J8 Chorley North Link Interchange with the A674 due to an ongoing incident at J8 being managed by Lancashire Police.
"The northbound carriageway is also closed within J8."
At 8.20pm, Highways England said: "Update on the earlier police incident. We have been given the go-ahead to start the process of re-opening the carriageway. If you're still stuck within the closure, please bear with us whilst we re-deploy our resources to get you moving again."
At around 8.40pm, officers said traffic had been released.
Diversion details can be found on the website here.
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