POLICE closed the Christchurch Bypass after a man was reported to be in danger on a footbridge.

Officers were called to the scene at around 4.30pm where a man was discovered to be standing on the wrong side of the railings on a footbridge by the Stony Lane roundabout.

The eastbound lanes of the road were closed between the Stony Lane and Somerford roundabouts while the rescue operation was carried out. No ambulance was required at the scene.

The man was recovered safely from the bridge by 4.50pm and the road soon reopened, although there were significant traffic delays in the area as a result of the closure.