Why did a swan stop traffic on the M1 motorway?

A swan wandered onto the M1 motorway, causing traffic to halt as drivers avoided hitting it.

How did National Highways officers rescue the swan?

Officers used a specialized swan bag, carried in their vehicles, to safely capture and relocate the bird.

Where was the swan taken after being rescued from the M1?

The swan was taken to a small lake off junction 16 of the M1 motorway.

Home / Environment / Swan Causes M1 Motorway Mayhem

Swan Causes M1 Motorway Mayhem

3 Dec, 2025

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Summary

A swan caused a four-lane motorway to halt.
Traffic officers rescued the confused bird.
The bird may have mistaken road haze for water.

A bewildered swan caused significant disruption on a four-lane stretch of the M1 motorway near Northampton last month. Vehicles were forced to a complete stop as the bird wandered across the carriageway, necessitating intervention from traffic officers. The unusual incident was reported on November 19, shortly after 10:30 GMT.

National Highways officers, including Adrian Woods, responded to the scene. They successfully captured the swan using a specialized swan bag carried in their vehicles. Mr. Woods noted that such incidents occur when swans mistake wet roads or haze for water, leading them to land unexpectedly.

The situation was resolved within approximately 10 minutes, allowing traffic to flow freely again. The swan was safely relocated to a nearby lake, where it was observed swimming away, marking a happy conclusion for all involved.

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