Secrets of The Motorway - M56

#infrastructure #cheshire #motorway

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The M56 is Cheshire's main motorway. It links Chester with Manchester stopping at some large and important industries along the way. The M56 certainly wins the award for more bizarre junctions with several featuring unique design layouts that boggle the mind.

Take junctions 1 to 3... they're all on a separate spur road and the M56 main carriageway starts at junction 3a. Confused? Yes it makes little sense but hopefully this weeks episode explains all.

In this series we aim to explore what our motorway network is hiding. As we drive along at 70mph..ish...we simply just wouldn't be aware of what we're missing. This series aims to uncover some of the hidden secrets our motorways have to offer.

[AutoShenanigans]

Yes... where is that M53 video that I mentioned... Well.. The M53 was supposed to be released today and the M56 next week. Reasons happened that resulted in a last minute panic to release a video on time and here we are with the M56.

[JayForeman]

Please know that I have understood and thoroughly enjoyed every region-specific 90s TV theme tune end credits music reference in all your videos!

[danielmounter]

“The M56 planners enjoyed their crack” is an absolutely golden line, love these videos!

[jonjohnson]

I used to think my fascination of motorways was weird...I suppose it still is, but I'm relieved there are thousands of other M geeks like myself!

[Galerak]

Lymm is pronounced 'Lim', not 'Lime'. Lymm services used to be called Poplar's Truck-stop that had fuel pumps and a 'greasy spoon' restaurant before being moved across the road to it's present location, upgraded, and renamed Poplar 2000 Services.
Chester services was built on the site of what used to be a large parking area that had a 24hr butty wagon (if memory serves me correctly), I used to frequent there quite regularly with a bunch of CBers that I used to hang out with.
Great video though, I learned quite a bit about the local area.

[davelewthwaite]

You're pretty much right about the swing bridge - you can still see the 'hinge' on google maps across the navigation, but the swing bridge itself is long gone. What you are on is a temporary Bailey bridge, installed so kit can be delivered to the substation that must have been in front of you when you were filming. Since it blocks off boat traffic when in use, it usually sits where you found it, but they can trundle it out when needed. Last used in November '21, apparently.

Edit: Jack (see subcomment) has video of this Thunderbirds-esque deployment.

[KidarWolf]

I've probably said it before, but I'm going to say it again - Secrets of the Motorway is one of those guilty pleasures with the same sort of relaxing vibes as The Joy of Painting. Doesn't matter how my week went, come Sunday, I know I'll have Auto Shenanigans to sit down to with a cupper and just chill out, and learn something new and fascinating.

[allen_key]

The performance from those rubble sacks was spot on.

[SuperCholdi]

Score! It’s a proper Sunday now. M56 and M62 are my jam.

[ChaufMT]

I just was wondering why I, as a Dutch guy, am watching all your videos in GB. Well, not that I soon will drive down there. But is it is wicked sweet awesome and fun to see it. You present it well.

[PineappleSkip]

Yay, the M56 is exciting because it’s the only Manchester motorway I’ve been on, and our introduction to Manchester, a rail replacement bus from the Airport with an enthralling drive from junction 5 to junction 3A, during which driver cranked it up to a thrilling 50 or so. Living life on the edge that was.

[rickardjd]

I’m weekly gobsmacked how much detail and information you manage to cram into every episode. I dread to think how much time you spend researching and shooting these videos.
I take my hat off to you sir.
Top notch work.

[InfernalPasquale]

I have had a fair week thank you John.

[Alan_Watkin]

i do love how little you strive for perfection, also the stunning vista's where you choose to deliver you line's, i think from this week's my favoured one was the 3 sand/gravel bag's in some shitty field... marvelous

[billybean]

Your channel would be worth every penny of 164 million for the educational and entertaining content you provide

[BMC_]

Great video as always! One thing to note, the BOW in “Bowdon” is pronounced the same way as “Toe”.

It’s also one of the wealthiest areas in the country outside of the South East!

[Dan_]

Excellent again Jon, the M56 is one of my favourite motorways. I love the way people pay no attention whatsoever to the chevrons on it that advise a 2 chevron gap. It’s almost like folk try to make the gaps as small as possible between each other 😂

[jenniferfox]

I've only recently found your channel and am thoroughly enjoying it. We use roads/motorways without thinking too much about them especially these days with the (...) satnav! I passed my driving test in 1994 and used atlas/map with pen & paper (writing it down helps you remember, especially Junction numbers and the roads you need to take after exiting😊) til 2008 when health issues stopped me driving, but I have driven to the top of Scotland, over to North Wales, down to Letchworth Garden City and almost everywhere in between. I LOVED to drive (I was 36 when I passed my test and had recently lost my husband to cancer) and did so at every opportunity. I made sure I took 2x2hour motorway lessons after successful pass of test so that I didn't baulk at using them, like a lot of people do. I couldn't understand some friends who wouldn't/couldn't use motorways. Each to their own, I suppose, but I wanted to drive, so made sure I could do so safely.
Sorry, rambling. Back to the video... even using motorways as I did you don't know the history(onics?) Behind them unless you are interested - most of us aren't - until someone like you comes along and MAKES it interesting. Thanks for all the research and the videos 👍

[madpixie]

Great video as always!
I'm waiting for the crossover where you pop up in one of Geoff's rail videos now or at least get a mention.

[Doughty]

Can’t be many more motorways left to cover which is a shame because I really like this series.