Trio of goats cause chaos as they stop motorway traffic

Three goats have brought traffic to a standstill on the M5 in Gloucestershire.

The trio of troublemakers ran onto the carriageway around Monday lunchtime from nearby fields.

Drivers faced delays of about an hour as police officers attempted to catch the animals between junctions 12 and 13 near Stroud.

National Highways and Gloucestershire police closed the section of the M5 at 1.14pm with the road reopening at 2.13pm.

Drivers got out of their vehicles to catch sight of the goats as traffic police tried to usher them to safety.

A spokesman from National Highways said on social media: “Our traffic officers are dealing with three goats which have got onto the motorway.”

In an update the agency said: “Two have now been secured. Officers are trying to contain the last.”

Following a brief chase, officers were able to issue the all clear, with National Highways stating: “The wandering goats have been secured and taken to a place away from the motorway.

“60 min delay north and 45 mins south remain but should begin to ease now. Thanks for your patience.”

The presence of the goats on the carriageway brought a smile to many drivers’ faces, even if they faced a longer than usual journey.

“It might have rained for 5 hours straight, I may not be able to feel my toes and I’ve not been able to find my phone all day but at least there are goats on the M5 to cheer me up,” said Shannon Brown, a reporter for Bristol Live, on X.

One local resident added: “I live right next to the M5 and there was a tonne of commotion so I looked it up to see what was going on and there are GOATS escaped. All those sirens for three goats.”