Crossword Genius

Rodent damage returning to motorway (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

marmot

'rodent' is the definition.
(marmot is a kind of rodent)

'damage returning to motorway' is the wordplay.
'damage' becomes 'mar' (marring is a kind of damaging).
'returning' says the letters should be written backwards.
'motorway' becomes 'm'.
'to'+'m'='tom'
'tom' written backwards gives 'mot'.
'mar'+'mot'='MARMOT'

(Other definitions for marmot that I've seen before include "Small burrowing animal of the squirrel family" , "Furry burrowing rodent" , "Stout, burrowing rodent" , "wild rodent" , "Large burrowing rodent" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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