Drivers in a flap but no injuries as swan stops M6 traffic near Walsall
Drivers faced delays on the M6 today due to a swan in the northbound carriageway.
Cars heading north were stopped as Highways England traffic officer Darryl Corbett ushered the swan to the side of the road near Walsall.
One out of four lanes stayed closed while the male bird was caught between Junction 9 for Wednesbury and Junction 10 for Walsall at midday.
The swan was then released into a reservoir further up the motorway near Junction 12 at Gailey.
Mr Corbett, who has worked as a traffic officer for 14 years, explained: “The motorway was shut while we penned the swan into a corner for me to catch.
"The training on how to handle birds kicked in and he was soon in a swan bag, which is like a large holdall that goes around his body. It only took a matter of minutes to capture the swan.
"“He was a bit upset at first as a 6ft 2ins burly traffic officer came towards him but he soon settled and sat quietly on my legs in the back of our vehicle.
"The swan was happily swimming in the reservoir when we left. It all went really well.”
There were delays back past Junction 7 for Great Barr as a result, while southbound traffic was also slow as passing motorists watched the incident unfold.
