Secrets of The Motorway - M48

#m48 #infrastructure #motorway
The M48... perhaps these days a relatively unused motorway. But that wasn't always the case. Only a couple of decades ago, this was your main route in and out of Wales. So what changed for this vital piece of infrastructure. We'll be finding out.. and along the way making a few stops to look at the surrounding sights and sounds of the M48. We've beautiful bridges, almost as nice bridges and really short bridges. A lot of bridges but there's other stuff too.
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.
Find us on:
Twitter - @JonShenanigans
Facebook - Auto Shenanigans
Many thanks to:
Roads.org.uk
Pathetic.org.uk
Sabre-roads.org.uk

[@PatGilliland]

"...in modern money is more..." this is the insightful commentary we are here for.

[@truckerlee5975]

If your not quick ,you've missed it.

[@markkilo4519]

Got me laughing, I like how he puts funny bits in 😎

[@jacobwhite1360]

Honestly this epsiode had me in stitches.. ‘here you’ll find Severn view services, along with a view of the Severn’ 🤣👌🏼 just hilarious dry humour it’s too good

[@andymoss]

Exactly the comment I was going to leave! Comedy gold!

[@underwaterdick]

I laughed when he said that so seriously 🤣

[@dominicskelton3031]

Shout out to the wasp for its admirable work ethic, still contributing to KZbin videos when all of its mates have buggered off on holiday or whatever wasps do in winter....

[@jakebryant1612]

After this episode I definitely think you should do a ‘secrets of the railway’ episode 🤣

[@AutoShenanigans]

I'm surprised the "usual lot" haven't done it already! I'd love to see abandoned railway stations, old junctions and infrastructure.

[@acciid]

Around 15 years ago I did a lot of work in South Wales (I live in London). I always used the M48. You get a much better view from the bridge and the traffic levels are tiny compared with the M4. Even during the day I would find myself on an empty road, so foot to the floor. It's also nice driving on an old-style motorway.

[@TheProfessorofFilm]

I was a teenager when the old Severn bridge was built and it was a huge deal back then. So much so my mum and I took a coach trip to view it from South London. Yep a coach day out trip to view a bridge. We travelled over the bridge, turned round at the next junction and returned back over it and stopped at the services on the English side. The cafe had a huge viewing area to see the bridge and to be totally honest, it was a hell of a sight back then. Of course as I got older and was driving, the bloody bridge was shut every time there was a strong breeze!! The last time I went to Wales I went down the M48 and stopped at the sadly rather run down services for old times sake. It’s still a good looking design of the 60’s. Thanks for your videos who knew I cared about Motorways? But it seems I do. I watch all your videos thank you.

[@AutoShenanigans]

Weird... who'd drive miles to look at a motorway bridge.... :D Nice one, thanks for watching!

[@williamevans9426]

Before the advent of the original Severn Bridge, one had two choices to travel by car from the South West to South Wales or vice versa - either taking a very long loop via Chepstow or waiting one's turn for the rather diminutive ferry.

[@WJINTL]

-floodplain field is part time lake *housing developer* Yes this seems like the perfect place to put a random, disconnected neighborhood with no surrounding jobs or highstreet.

[@MrGChuff]

When Top Gear used to be good😂😂👍

[@robertbuckley2429]

TV Theme Tunes I recognise on the Secrets of the M48 motorway are Playdays and Woof! plus the piano instrumental version of the theme tune from Home & Away.

[@simaesthesia]

Jon, there isn't a single video you've made that I haven't enjoyed. The amount of interesting facts and detail you cram in at such a rate along with the excellent humour is fantastic. Seriously hoping you blast past 100k subscribers - this channel is one of the best out there! Cheers. Si.

[@AutoShenanigans]

Thanks mate, that's great to hear :)

[@mistakay9019]

I've ran the maths, and 8 million pound in today's money is indeed more.

[@AutoShenanigans]

It took me a couple of days to figure it out... but yep!

[@K1W1fly]

So theres the Forth Bridge and the Severn Bridge... still looking for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th Bridges... At least there is also an Exe and Wye bridge...

[@KenRoss]

So the 4th Bridge is in Scotland, the 7th in Wales. Where are the other ones ?

[@AutoShenanigans]

A good question.

[@GazMoby]

Pressing the appreciation button before I have watched this as I know it's gonna be quality.

[@AL_THOMAS]

8 million pounds today is £141,217,948.48 Which is indeed 'more'.

[@BrowniesTruck]

The humour, the quarry and the hidden slip roads. We’re here for it all, love it!

[@MJCLAXDEN]

"When constructed was £8 million, which is today's money is more." - CLASSIC! I love the granularity of insight!

[@bernjackson8568]

If the subtle intro of the playdays theme that often stopped at the “Why” bird stop while talking about the river “Wye” bridge was on purpose, then you have truly excelled yourself.

[@Craig-wp3pz]

"You know, in the old days when it was good..." Priceless, catty, but Priceless 😄 🤣 😂 😆 If Carlsberg made insults.......

[@gavindavies793]

If they did, they'd do it just off the end of this very motorway at the brewery site at magor!

[@pridderz]

You definitely need to come up to Newcastle for the A167M, which has got to win the prize for the most bizarre motorway in the country

[@andrewwebb3431]

Can I just pause to say how much I appreciate your music choices. I can't think of anyone else on KZbin that would end a video on an obscure motorway with a hauntingly beautiful piano cover of the theme from Home and Away.

[@roberthindle5146]

"Why is there a wasp?!" Wasp: " Why is there a KZbinr?!"

[@toastownsu]

Subtle playdays music just before the river Wye segment. Made me think of Whybird 😂 good job nice touch

[@SimonMarriott]

I wonder how many Doctor Who or Blakes 7 episodes were filmed in that quarry!

[@brianartillery]

Great video, John. I'm afraid that I did laugh when you were spotted by that wasp. The bad tempered stripy bastards always go for me, too. I was at work once, and was surprised to see a biggish wasp grabbing spiders from their webs and flying off with them. That's a wasp I am not going to argue with.

[@aaronthomas5735]

Playdays and Home and Away? You spoil us!

[@tobortine]

_"Why is there a wasp"_ - We get some free philosophy with this week's expisode 🙂

[@davidioanhedges]

...and at the time it cost £8million to build, which in today's money...is more ... It's why we listen. ..

[@AutoShenanigans]

Nothing but facts around here!

[@pratty1238]

Wasp 🐝 😂😂 “Why is there a wasp 🐝” 😂

[@SkeletonSyskey]

2:16 "Which in Todays Money is More" dunno why but that made me laugh

[@Jameshoward999]

liz truss and brexit you can blame for that

[@RFGfotografie]

Perfect comment. Back in the old days when it was good. Yes indeed Top Gear was GOOD!

[@paulfisher126]

Severn View services... the services you can't actually see the Severn from, where as the office building that you see when standing at the viewpoint used to be the old services building.. and was called Aust Services

[@Sorted7]

Genuinely think this is one of the best geeky channels on the u tubes. Thanks, I love it

[@testpilotian3188]

2:45 it’s probably nothing more than a secret road leading to one of those MI5 lockers like you see in bond films for them to stash guns and cash in. If there’s no more episodes I’ll guess you went back and found said locker….

[@skatman3278]

Two genius pieces of commentary that sums up why I watch your videos: 1. 2:04 - "... and it's here that you'll find Severn View Services. Not only is there a services, there's also a view of the Severn". 2. 2:13 - "... at the time it cost £8m to build, which in todays money is more". 🤣😂

[@baconbreadwithbacon]

My mate asked me why I was watching a bloke half yelling facts about roads. The next day, he subscribed and said the word bollocks isn't used enough but it'll do.

[@AutoShenanigans]

Duly noted.... I shall add it to the script next time :D

[@duckpk10]

Sevenview services where there's a services and also a view of the river Severn. Fuck that slayed me!

[@underwaterdick]

Another ace video full of facts and Humour! The Playdays theme tune and the "Wye Bridge" love that obscure connection.

[@angusmacleod6077]

Love the effort you put in to each episode. Looking forward to you reaching the 100K subscriber mark

[@AutoShenanigans]

Thanks Angus, that's super awesome.. I really appreciate it.

[@whyyoulidl]

Update: what a plonker I am; the piano outro is (closer each day) Home n Away 😀

[@AutoShenanigans]

hehe... you got it mate :D thanks for watching as always!

[@philsharp758]

Another great video. I like driving along the M48. The low traffic volumes remind me of, being driven by my parents, motorways in the 1960/70's.

[@elelegidosf9707]

I fear and am filled with dread by the inevitability of the day when you are seduced and lured by the fame, fortune, women etc that await you in America when you go and do, "Secrets of the Interstate". That day will come, and I know there is nothing I can do about it.

[@AutoShenanigans]

Looking forward to it.

[@Assimilator1]

The wasp from your M3 video came back for you! 🤣

[@argonaut816]

I am old enough to have done the Aust ferry, a primitive drive on, drive off ferry before the first bridge was built

[@tomarse99]

One of the old ferries is still to be found under a bridge near Newport. They’ve just demolished the remains of the ferry buildings on aust side sadly

[@dangerousandy]

6:00 Woof!

[@Jaygreig86]

ah yes. Was rattling my brain on this one

[@davidroddini1512]

3:42 “The modern boundary between England and Wales is marked out by the river. Why?” Probably because it was a convenient place.

[@GingerJourneys]

The river is called Wye. Its a play on words.

[@davidroddini1512]

So I guess some Caerwent into the video after all and it wasn’t just thrown together without any research then. 😉

[@madhatter61]

It would have been a castle crossing. Sheep aren't very high. It was like that at atherstone, cattle bridge and crossing.

[@_B.M_]

Interesting choice of music today. Sure I heard Playbus, Woof and Home and Away! It's clear I'm getting old!

[@AutoShenanigans]

You got it!

[@Titaniumparts]

I'm actually very fond of the M48 and use it fairly regularly. It feels like a portal back to an earlier era of the motorway - two lanes, low traffic volumes, and of course the original 1966 Severn Bridge, which is still a thing of elegant beauty. Also occasionally visit the viewpoint you show at 2:08. It now has a melancholy atmosphere of being forgotten and neglected, but back in the 1960s the bridge was one of the world's engineering marvels and that viewpoint was once a destination in its own right.

[@AutoShenanigans]

I like Severn view services as it's easy to see how "glamourous" it all was back in the day. Sadly as you say.. forgotten and neglected.

[@Titaniumparts]

@@AutoShenanigans With your obvious fascination with the topic I can't imagine that you don't have a copy of Joe Moran's excellent book 'On roads' (2009) but, if not, then I'd wholly recommend. A brilliant cultural history of our relationship with the motorway.

[@darkstarnh]

Well this presses a few buttons. As a kid in the 60s I remember crossing the Severn on the Aust ferry with my grandparents and watching the bridge being built. Fast forward to the 90s, I work in TV and was the sound guy for a documentary about the building of the new bridge. You mention the army training area and its use as an Airsoft site? Well that is Dragon Valley Airsoft. And guess who is a Marshal there.

[@nirgunapa56]

There was a time when you could see the Severn from the actual Severn View Services. The great big glass building on site used to house the services and I can well remember it. But then someone must have realised it could make more money as a commercial space and the services were removed to the brick built sheds they are today - a great shame. I love your videos and your humour especially the 'throw away' lines. Brilliant.

[@misterflibble9799]

When the Second Severn Crossing (now the Prince of Wales Bridge) opened, traffic along the M48 dropped substantially, and so did footfall to the services. There was no longer enough traffic to support the large building.

[@kevinoates1910]

Check out his video series on service stations it covers this

[@Curbsidecrafters]

You forgot to mention that all of Captain America was filmed in Caerwent except the street scenes that were filmed in Manchester 🤣

[@RFGfotografie]

The outro's are just perfection each time I see them. What an amazing view. UK is a beautifull island!

[@davidjewood]

Nice Top Gear swipe 👊🏻

[@WaIkers]

Caerwent (pronounced (c-eye-r went) is right on my doorstep. It has also been used as filming for Doctor Who and Torchwood, and also briefly in the first Captain America movie in 2011. Caerwent also backs directly onto Wentwood, the most ancient woodland in Wales. Also Chepstow, the biggest town on the motorway, has what's considered the oldest stone castle in Country, with the oldest part constructed in 1067. And Rogiet is pronounced rog (like log) -et!

[@johnkeepin7527]

The other thing worth noting is that the Severn Bridge section is now limited to one lane for HGVs and buses, if you look at the signs in both directions - 7.5 tonne limit on the second lane.

[@stmisbehavin662]

"which in today's money is more" 😂🤣🙃

[@AhsokaTanoTheWhite]

Indeed, got a good chuckle out of me.

[@richnewt]

It's this type of commentary I subscribe for

[@greg5639]

That pricked my ears up, ( Fuck! Wasp, why is there a wasp ? ) 👍😂🤣😂🤣sorry I just thought it was funny.

[@aston-s]

My grandad worked on the 2nd Severn Bridge - I got to to go a third of the way across whilst it was being built... it took me until 2019 to cross the rest of the way. (This comment would probably make more sense on one of the M4 videos, but you know algothrim etc)

[@Idylla]

I love driving down this quiet motorway compared to the new M4 - Especially as they didn't take the opportunity to go three lanes when making all that new section so it often gets very busy. As a local resident it's also been very convenient since the toll booths were taken out, making trips into Wales more of a 'thing' rather than really having to consider it for the exorbitant tolls previously.

[@norfolknchance.500]

I like lotomotives too John! 😂

[@Jawst]

4:39 😆 we like accidental entertainment

[@AutoShenanigans]

Didnt even notice :D woops .

[@regularguy3665]

I can’t not watch this every week. I don’t know why, I’m just drawn in. I found myself today talking bollocks to my nephew about Lancaster services and I know exactly where I learnt it.

[@6thdayblue59]

Does anyone else enjoy their Sunday Night notifications, letting us know that we all have another informative, educational but comically and entertaining post to watch ? When I was young, the 'Antique Roadshow' triggered fear and denial of incomplete homework or assignments that were overdue at school / college. Sundays now are about John giving us a 'feel good' post, and we all know that life in the World is good, with his content and presentation style. We know things are a little crazy in the World right now, but this man has given us all a unique and honest way to remind ourselves of the things we like and enjoy, and we shouldn't feel bad about it. Oh Bugger, I have just remembered that I have a presentation to write before 8am........ Arghhhhhhh See you all next week 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@BoulevardFan28]

This was absolutely awesome... I love your style of humor mixed with interesting (and often obscure) information about the motorways.

[@jimhailwood2873]

Lived in Chepstow for 32 years and I’ve never seen these landmarks from these angles. Great video thanks.

[@infidelcastro5129]

The world’s premier youtubing wasp-magnet 😂

[@dangerousandy]

How the devil are you?

[@cheekychappy1234]

The M48 is one of the few motorways that has an organised half marathon on it crossing the Second Severn Bridge. (The Great North Run is the other one I know of as you briefly go along the entire length of the tiny A167(M)). The group that organises this half marathon also does night runs along the Second Severn Bridge starting in the graffiti'ed tunnel you were standing in front of.

[@NickW1111]

Parkrun too - every Saturday morning starting just north of Aust bridge and crossing into Gloucestershire then Avon, then back to finish in that graffiti’d tunnel.

[@corenmaryweijers1895]

As a Dutch guy and no more knowledge about the UK other then a fortnight London, I can't wait for the next vid. It baffled me to see that hardly any motorway looks the same (junctions - fly overs and such). But your quirky way of telling, and then the little things, hardly known to those that live nearby, yep, perfect. Keep on being yourself, I love it.. 👍👍👍

[@andrerenault]

"Which, in today's money, is more." I can't even be mad

[@jonnyohiggins6969]

I too hate wasps, and remember when Top Gear was good.

[@geoffhaggett3080]

The newer M4 route is actually longer than the old route by about 1 mile. I measured it in my car once!

[@baconbreadwithbacon]

You're actually correct which is hilarious.

[@benllewelyn98]

I live in Chepstow and the M48 is the best motorway as it exists outside the realms of which speed limits exist in

[@davidyendoll5903]

Dont tell everyone !

[@bobblebardsley]

I'm sure you know this but if the Google Street View image for a particular road has been updated, you can see the older images by clicking the little clock icon at the top-left (desktop only, not on mobile) and choosing an earlier time stamp. Obviously only goes back to about 2007-08 when Street View first started but you can get a decent 15 years' worth of context for some frequently updated locations.

[@danielhindley8]

It now works on mobiles too.

[@bobblebardsley]

@@danielhindley8 Oh nice, even better! Thanks for that, I didn't know they'd added it 👍

[@jezkendall1893]

@@danielhindley8 Neat - I'd not realised they'd added that 🙂

[@tmb8807]

Yep. Good example of that is the old Devil's Punch Bowl route of the A3.

[@alunrundle162]

You didn't mention the Severn bridge collection is actually the only part of the UK motorway network with a footpath.

[@reggiedixon2]

Caerwent isn't "Care went", it is pronounced "Cyer went" with a hard C.

[@lefthandedspanner]

the M48 is also home to one of the UK's few non-motorway Special Roads - the footpath next to the main bridge, which allows pedestrians, cyclists and moped riders to cross the Severn

[@mattslip179]

Beat me to it! I rode my motorbike over the bridge on the footpath when I had L plates

[@BenCurrington]

Home to Severn Bridge parkrun I believe!

[@bfapple]

old rolling stock and lotomotives

[@LoneWelshDruid]

I see Pedestrian traffic on the old Severn bridge which is what that "administrative area is about, I don't know where the foot traffic is allowed to join now though.

[@ianhalsall-fox]

So the Severn Bridge contrary to popular belief is entirely within England as it's the Wye Bridge that links England and Wales. And Aust is pronounced "Ost" which until 1966 had the Aust Ferry. In Clifton Bristol on Queens Road there is still a sign for Aust (Ferry) *edit, darn I can't see it on Streetview, but it was there 20 years ago! Severn View Services used to be brilliant until traffic levels dropped that the original impressive restaurant and viewing gallery became offices and the services retreated to a Portacabin. The M48 Severn Bridge does allow cycle and pedestrian access unlike the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge (which is not a bridge it's a crossing). Fin.

[@alfredgisborne9569]

I would say ''Orst'' is a more accurate pronunciation of Aust

[@tasty_fish]

Ha, I just added a similar comment. As a resident of Gloucestershire (original and South) I’m always keen to point this out!

[@ianhalsall-fox]

@@tasty_fish Legally the south bit is Gloucestershire even in the Bristol suburb! Much to my annoyance since 1996 when you see the sign beyond Michaelwood Services saying "Welcome To Gloucestershire (that is simply the county council of that name!) You are in Gloucestershire already!

[@bladeofzorro1932]

I am liking the asides. Adding a few potatoes, the meat of the meal. erm, nope, that didn't come out right. But you get my drift, right?

[@stevec1097]

"which in today's money is more" 🤣 Another great video John, thank you.

[@colbysquibb7854]

I enjoy the wasp interactions.

[@fgwHST43009]

Fun fact: When crossing from Wales to England, the first sign for J1 (Severn View Services) still has the old junction number of J21 but with the 2 blanked out/removed. You can still see the outline of the 2 though. Also, Aust is pronounced "ost"

[@k6usy]

When Top Gear used to be good... so true.

[@AutoShenanigans]

Nice one, thanks for watching!

[@zGJungle]

If you are feeling a little adventurous, you can cross the rail way bridge you crossed and have snoop around the RAF Caerwent site, lots of abandoned buildings to poke around, I have been told. It's quiet there on Sundays and you won't bump into anyone, I have been told.

[@chrispenn715]

The original Aust services were much bigger and quite 'posh' when launched. As teenagers, we used to drive to the Aust services from Cardiff in the evenings as it was about the only place open :-) They are now an office complex, with smaller, meaner services built nearby.

[@Punchiecat]

Yes I remember stopping at the original services as a kid - what seemed like a massive restaurant with a view out over the river.

[@AutoShenanigans]

Do you remember using the "subway" entrance into the old larger building?

[@chrispenn715]

@@AutoShenanigans oh yes. Forgot about that! Exciting when you're a kid! We drove there on the day the bridge opened too! I was about 8 yrs old 😂

[@AmirBrooks]

Even though it's a bit longer, I usually use the M48 when travelling to Bristol. Why? It doesn't have any idiots playing the "Lane 1 is Lava" game.

[@thisiszaphod]

Opps, John. You missed the old Severn Bridge services - which has better views of the old Bridge, and is closer to the Severn - now home to Brightside Insurance (of whom, the less said, the better). The stunning vista is still available from the public footpath.

[@Sarge084]

When I was a puppy I was an avid Blue Peter watcher, and they featured the building of the Severn Bridge, so you can imagine how grown up me got rather excited about crossing the bridge for the first time! Despite having crossed the bridge a millionty times, in a professional capacity, I still get a buzz from visiting engineering marvels featured on Blue Peter, and I've travelled the world to do this, including walking up to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge!

[@georgemorley1029]

Rogiet is pronounced Rogget. Don't ask me why, it just is. I lived on Old Coach Road on Beachley for 7 years. I miss it.

[@outoftheburrough]

Missed opportunity for a "YOU SHALL NOT PASS" but I did chuckle at the home & away theme

[@maverick598]

Top gear … in the old days … when it was good 😂. Spot on

[@thedave7760]

Cliff jumping is very concerning wouldn't want young people challenging themselves with something slightly dangerous.

[@-abacchus]

4:38 *...Lotomotives..?*

[@EngineerLewis]

Another of my preferred routes into Wales, especially when the toll was removed! 😅 The Welsh and Roman names caught you out again - Roj eeee et (Rogiet) and Ki er went (Caewent). Caerwent is a special Roman settlement with lots of remains to see.

[@ethzero]

Just got KZbin recommended a previous video. This is the 2nd video and I'm now subbed to this _criminally_ un-subbed channel. ❤️

[@AutoShenanigans]

Welcome aboard the stupid ship!

[@kennyj9348]

Use this motorway every day to get to work, that field is normally flooded for about seven months of the year and has tons of water birds on it. It's very pretty and I always wonder if there's any way they could keep it flooded all year round. And as someone else has stated a few miles further down the line there's a 5' 6" bridge . It's down a lane that runs behind the Wilkinsons distribution depot.

[@ringosimon1]

One thing you missed John. At the Severn View Services is also an office block housing a company called Brightside Insurance who operate illegal practices in their sale of insurance products.

[@AutoShenanigans]

ooo.. sounds fruity... whats the story there.

[@ringosimon1]

@@AutoShenanigans The company were advertising as broker who search the market, but in reality only every put business through to an insurance company that they themselves owned. This left customer thinking someone had searched for the best price while actually they could have saved money. They were also loading on extra products that customers did not need like key cover and claiming commissions for doing so without again telling customers.

[@ChrisBrown-px1oy]

Brightside occupies the original services building, where the view is; it was sold and the present nondescript buildings put up as a downgrade associated with the second crossing.

[@MervynPartin]

Ah, Happy memories of when it used to be the M4, a 55 minute journey, riding my Triumph Bonneville from Cardiff to Oldbury Power Station through winter snow- just thinking about it makes me shiver!

[@bobblebardsley]

1:35 Probably the greatest single sentence of script you've written yet, well done sir.

[@AutoShenanigans]

It took a couple of attempts :D