Police closed the M62 motorway in both directions after concern for the safety of a man on the notorious Scammonden Bridge.

Officers were called to a house in Saddleworth Road, Scammonden, late this afternoon and inquiries led them to a man on the 120ft high bridge.

Police immediately brought rush-hour traffic to a standstill between junctions 22 at Rishworth Moor and junction 24 at Outlane.

The drama, which left vast stretches of the motorway deserted, started at around 4.09pm with a call to West Yorkshire Police.

It is understood officers went to a house and headed straight to the bridge, known locally as Brown Cow Bridge.

The bridge became notorious as a “suicide spot” after the Samaritans put up warning posters several years ago.

Four people died after plunging from the bridge between 2006 and 2012.

In April this year a “distressed” woman appeared on top of the bridge, near a spot described as England’s highest motorway.

Police shut both carriageways and officers were filmed rushing onto the bridge to restrain her.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman declined to comment in detail on today’s incident or say whether the man had been detained.

The man was taken to safety and the motorway was re-opened at around 5.15pm.

Long delays had built up around the motorway and on surrounding roads and police warned drivers to avoid the motorway and find alternate routes.

A police spokesman said: “The incident was dealt with but there was a serious knock-on effect for the motorway network, given it happened during the busy rush hour.”

The bridge carries Scammonden Road over the M62. The motorway, which is four lanes in parts over the tops, is the highest in England at 1,221ft (372 metres) above sea level.