THERE are long delays on the M62 after a man “running on the live lanes” brought traffic to a complete stop earlier this morning.

Just after 10am, traffic came to a grinding halt on the eastbound carriageway between junction 21 for Milnrow and junction 22 for Denshaw after a male was seen "running" across live lanes on the carriageway, North West Motorway Police said in a tweet.

Police and highways officers rushed to the scene and shut the motorway for around 45 minutes. All lanes were reopened by 11.30am.

A spokesperson from the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) has confirmed a man in his 40s was taken to hospital.

Taking to Twitter at 10:05 am, North West Motorway Police, wrote: “Male running live lanes on M62 between junction 21 and junction 22. We have police patrols and Highways England patrol in area. Full block on the eastbound at moment.”

An update followed at 10:52 am, when North West Motorway Police wrote: “Male that had been running live lanes on M62 junctions 21 to 22 has now been safely secured and receiving the relevant help. Lanes 2 and 3 reopen.”

There are still long delays on the M62 due to the incident between junction 21, A6193 Sir Isaac Newton Way (Milnrow) and junction 22, A672 (Rishworth Moor).

There is also congestion to junction 19 (Heywood) and traffic is slow on the opposite carriageway. Travel time is around 30 minutes.

Greater Manchester Police have been contacted for comment.