The reopening of the motorway was hindered due to oil spilling from the overturned trailer.

UPDATE: The M61 southbound has reopened after a crash involving a trailer this morning (Thursday, February 1).

Pictures from the scene show the trailer and a cherry picker blocking the carriageway with hydraulic fluid spilling across lanes.

National Highways warn the southbound carriageway could be closed "for some time" as recovery efforts continue this afternoon | National Highways

placeholder image — National Highways warn the southbound carriageway could be closed "for some time" as recovery efforts continue this afternoon | National Highways

The carriageway was closed for around four hours, between junctions 8 (Chorley) and 6 (Horwich), while a recovery and clean-up operation took place.

All three lanes had been closed since 9am, causing delays during rush hour. Motorists caught within the closure were released via the hard shoulder, while queuing traffic was reportedly at a standstill back to Clayton Brook Interchange, where the M61 meets the M6 and M65.

In its latest update, National Highways said: "This incident is now clear, and the M61 in Lancashire is now OPEN southbound between J8 (Chorley) & J6 (Middlebrook).

"Thanks for your patience whilst this incident was ongoing.

"There are no significant delays in the area."