Aston Expressway closed while police remove reptile from carriageway

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Police photo of the snake discovered on the Aston Expressway
A five-foot snake caused tailbacks on a busy Birmingham commuter route on Thursday morning.

The exotic pet, believed to be a python, was spotted on the city-bound carriageway of the A38(M) Aston Expressway near to Dartmouth Circus at 9am.

One lane was temporarily closed while the slithering creature was caught and safely removed from the highway by officers from the Central Motorway Police Group.

They are now trying to find out how the roving reptile got there.

The lane closure caused further misery for motorists using the busy Expressway to get into Birmingham.

Traffic has been particularly bad on the road since the St Chad and Queensway tunnels in the city centre were closed for refurbishment on July 19. The 40-year-old tunnels are being given a long overdue overhaul and will remain closed until September 2.

- Twycross Zoo, in Warwickshire, was closed for a while on Thursday after chimpanzees escaped their living area.

A spokesman said: "One of their group of chimpanzees found their way into a secure service area within their enclosure.

This required closure of the zoo whilst keepers encouraged the chimps back into their normal living areas with ice cream and fizzy drinks. At no time were the public at risk, and no people or chimps were harmed during the incident.

"However, it is part of our safety procedures that we close the zoo whilst such events are resolved."