Secrets of The Motorway - M1 Part 2

#motorway #infrastructure #m1

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Curve ball... We're back on the M1 this week, that was unexpected. But I need the views so we'll be milking the M1 motorway for everything it's got. Also, I missed out a massive chunk the first time around and it's annoyed me (and some viewers) ever since.

So I'm revisiting the M1 which was the first episode of Secret of the Motorway to pick up more or less where we left off... North of Sheffield. There's lots to see such as some 18th century ruins and the tallest structure in the UK. Of course with a garnish of failed motorways and cancelled projects. The usual.

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.

**Outro Music**
'Emmerdale' by Matthew Anniss Music

Check out Matthew's work at:
@MatthewAnnissMusic

[Dangerousbros]

This show continues to be the best thing about Sundays

[Mike-H_UK]

Here Jon, you've been producing some great videos this year and we all enjoy them. Use this to buy yourself and Ringway a beer when you next meet up! Or just buy yourself two beers if no meet-up is imminent!

[matthew-Williams]

Your car at the start monologue is in need of some work Jon.

[DavidAspden]

Travelled that today.... Chilled at Skelton Lake services. M5, M6, M62, M57, M62, M60, M1 and A1M all done in a day!!

[ezzax]

Your sense of humour and comedy really makes these videos !

[boola]

Can we all just appreciate that Jon just doesn’t drive around the country on our road network, but spends time researching all these interesting facts and figures. I doff my cap to him.

[timsully]

Haha, brilliant! Love the Emerdale reference at the end 😂😅🤣 In truth I think that far fetched soap operas about unbelievably accident prone small communities have far more basis for plausibility than the stranger-than-fiction self serving nonsense surrounding our road building 🙄

Love that old steam engine house. Those old Newcomen machines must have been awe inspiring to the simple folk of the time who were still accustomed to eating mud for breakfast and supper, travelling everywhere by lame donkey and worked 27 hours a day to live in a hut made of nothing more than sheep carcasses and leftovers from breakfast. Probably 🤔

Always a shame to see old industrial sites not repurposed where nature has struggled to readdress the balance, but in time I am sure it will revert. They probably had a ‘repurposing’ clause in the contract. Which got cancelled…🤷🏻‍♂️

Cheers John, fantastic fun as ever 🥂🍀😜🌞

[oafless]

By uncovering the secrets of our motorway network, you are shedding light on a part of our infrastructure that we often take for granted. Best of luck with your project!

[wurly]

On absolutely fine form this week.
'realised I could milk another episode out of it' 😂

And I don't think there's a better explanation of the Shard out there. Bravo!

[nemo]

Would've been nice to mention that the abandoned section of A656 at the end is actually on the course of an old Roman road - the original inter-city highway displaced after nearly 2, 000 years by its modern equivalent.

[PhilipMurphyExtra]

The Secrets Of Motorways is always worth watching for sure.

[MartinvonBargen]

I'd love a video on whoever designed the barriers on the bridges. I've got strong memories of the ones over the M62 looking like the ones from today's video. Boring I know, but they look made for purpose and pretty standardised too.

I'm also a massive fan of the silent protest in the way that some shots are filmed in utter shithole locations. It's only when you start to work in infrastructure that you realise how much litter, flytipping and all-round arseholery goes on in the UK.

Keep up the great work!

[elliotm]

This series makes me wonder to myself, in my head, “why the planning and implantation of roads takes so long in this country” and now I realise I have a problem that can only be shared with my fellow enthusiasts of Secrets of the Motorway

[danlance]

Couple of extra tit bits of local info...

The original Emley moor mast fell due to the weight of ice built up on the supporting cables, and not due to high winds. This fell down without causing any injuries, despite falling through the roof of the nearby chapel which was occupied at the time. Interestingly (or not) part of the old tower was subsequently repurposed as the control tower at Huddersfield rowing club... In Holmfirth.

With respect to the last cancellation of the Flockton M1 / M62 link road, the final nail in the coffin for that was the "successful" 'Sink the Link" campaign which encouraged local residents to petition against the proposed road... Due to the noise of vehicles using it would have on nearby residents of Flockton....

...so instead that traffic continues to use the A road through Flockton, causing frequent accidents and eventually leading to installation of single flow traffic lights in a narrow section due to the inability of HGVs to pass each other... Not sure that was the cleverest move ever...🤔

[jennyd]

Blimey Jon my memory is going. I saw that tthis was part 2 and immediately thought, "wait what? I'm sure you didn't do the M1 last week..." and then you reminded me of something I had forgotten, which I am now going back to re-watch.

[michaeldavison]

There were 4 optional routes to link the M1 Kirkhamgate and A1 in Yorkshire. The purple and blue routes were strongly objected to by the residents of Arthington in the Wharfe valley and would have used a possible corridor between Leeds and Bradford. This left the red and brown routes that would go through 'cheaper' areas to the south and east of Leeds. I can't remember where the exact joining points were to be but I believe it was the red route that won. The A1 through Yorkshire was then progressively upgraded past Wetherby ending today as a 3+3 lane motorway.

[joncurtis]

This series is obviously influenced by Geoff Marshalls Secrets of the Underground (including a nod or two to Geoff in the past). One thing is for sure though, Johns sense of humour shines through much more. Gotta love it, keep it up.

[scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Another great and informative video Jon and loving the Emmerdale music at the end....

[JohnSmith-bxzb]

Have you ever thought of covering how Motorway Services have changed since opening.
I can recall how Knutsford and Charnock Richard have changed from table service restaurant to fast food.
The famed Forton services with its high level restaurant, again now closed.
There are many classic interior shots and outdoor photos to fit the timeline from opening to today.

[novalutiongsi]

You're pretty much bang on with the comments on the Shard.
I spent a year working there in its construction.