Secrets of The Motorway - M25 Part 3

#m25 #motorway #infrastructure #driving #cars
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In this video we continue our exploration of the M25... perhaps the most notorious motorway in all of the UK. It's surrounds London and was the left overs of a failed road building project leading to some interesting choices and decisions. It seems to do everything wrong and I don't think there are many that have a good word to say about the M25 but it's the only motorway left so I've no option but to tackle this giant.
In this weeks episode we pick up the M25 in Hertfordshire and follow it to it's end in Essex.. it's the final episode of a series that's been going for over a year and a half, 80 videos later it's time to visit the motorway for the last time. I can't thank you enough for coming along on the journey, I hope you liked the series.
In this series I 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 will uncover some of the hidden secrets our motorways have to offer

[@El_Smeghead]

Can't wait for "Secrets of the A-roads" 😂

[@brett-m]

Secrets of the A38 is what im looking forward to :D

[@sixfootbear]

@@brett-m Secrets of the A66.

[@Anonymoususer_2023]

“Secrets of the A14”. 😁

[@washboo]

Wonder what will happen with the A74? The only bit left is the A74(M) and London Road heading into Glasgow.

[@sue.Holmes1960]

Excellent, although I feel a bit sad that you’ve finished this series. Looking forward to what you do next 👍

[@yeetgaming1112]

This was one of the best series ever

[@Espen.Johannesen]

Secrets of the irish motorways. "oh well there was a period of trouble, and that resulted in this arrangement..." Needless to say the layout of the sliproads is here because ABdef ... xD

[@VampMiku502]

Yeah NI M1 missing junctions, partially build fork junction near Antrim, M2 gap between Antrim and Ballymena.

[@mariemccann5895]

Is it over?

[@yeetgaming1112]

@@mariemccann5895 not sure

[@samholdsworth420]

Was or is? If you don't know then it still is

[@rubberduck3y6]

An excellent series! All that standing in cold fields, taking shelter from the rain in concrete underpasses and sweating in your beanie under the Scottish summer sun was most definitely worth it!

[@dave_h_8742]

Don't forget the stalker in the red Vauxhall under the flyover 😂

[@mc4130]

I think I’ve only ever seen you without your Beanie once. Nah, your face didn’t fit. Put it back on.

[@Stephen_Lafferty]

8:40 - I'll be here at the regular time next Sunday to see what comes next! Well done, Jon, on seeing this documentary project through to its conclusion! The sheer amount of effort to research, script, film, edit and upload eighty videos is commendable!

[@liambethell2584]

A big thanks John for this series. Not long after you first started it i went through a break up which left me in some bad places. But one of the consistent, reliable and entertaing things i had in my life during that time was this series. As silly as it seems that obscure and quirky facts about the UKs motorways may have helped somoene it really did. I always knew that on a Sunday, without fail, i was either going to learn something or smile and at certain points those smiles were so needed. So again i say thank you for this series and i look forward to whatever you come up with next.

[@juddphilby9015]

Respect for traveling every mile of the motorway network and making it interesting.

[@ryanbarry7670]

I'm breathless just listening to his comma-less commentary

[@ChilledGamerUK]

I loved this series, if it wasn't for it being suggested to me by KZbin because of my love for disused railways, I don't think I would of found your channel. I really hope you come back with secrets of the A Roads or something.

[@millstonebarn]

Wow. I loved the montage at the end. What a journey. Congratulations on an amazing body of work, Jon.

[@charlesstorey8425]

This series has been wicked sweet awesome! Thanks for all the entertaining and informative episodes. I hope the next adventure goes well, whatever that may be.

[@adrianrutterford762]

Sunday Lunchtime improved. Thank you

[@Mega_Umbreon]

RIP to one of the best series on KZbin.

[@karnerkreativ]

The UK needs to build new motorways now! This can’t just be the end! ;) Thanks for the entertaining and beautiful videos!

[@davidbaker251]

I'm sure there are some A roads at almost motorway standards that could be rebadged in time for next week's episode...

[@user-sd3ik9rt6d]

We don't need more roads, we need to maintain the ones we have.

[@SquidgyPixel]

@@davidbaker251 The A55 is a great example of that.

[@MrToradragon]

That will take some time, so maybe we could get a new series called Secrets of the A.

[@edl617]

Or bring back affordable and convenient mass transportation

[@ap9970]

Need to find new entertainment for Sunday afternoons

[@AutoShenanigans]

Not at all, see you next Sunday....

[@pmacca2967]

I enjoy the humour and education please keep going with this 😊

[@paulknight5018]

@@AutoShenanigans could have been worse could have been next Tuesday!

[@sekhyhybrid6701]

@@AutoShenanigansSecrets of the Railways next? I mean why not, you often talked about rails in these episodes.

[@andyalder7910]

Surprised you missed the dubious fact that Epping Forest Cricket Club's pitch at Bell Common may be the most expensive cricket pitch in the world when you take into account of the cost of the cut and cover tunnel under it vs the cost of just having a cutting through it.

[@Pesmog]

Yes, it is really quite an interesting spot. You can stand on the cricket square with a bat in your hand facing balls from another team, totally unaware that you have eight lanes of traffic immediately under your feet as you are unable to see the tunnel portals from the cricket field. 👍 When I used to occasionally play there I would mention this to my team mates and they did not always believe me as the cricket field being right next to Epping forest is quite a tranquil place.

[@justanotheryoutubechannel]

Wow, I never even considered this series would actually end, but I guess it always would’ve. Congratulations on making it all the way to the end! This has been an amazingly entertaining and informative series.

[@Jeff-gn1xz]

After all that hard work, you deserve a short rest. For your next series, I suggest "Beaches of the Mediterranean".

[@waynekeenansvideos]

Loved the series, geekily fascinating, thank you. The "A" roads next ;) Good luck with your business milage expenses relief with HMRC :)

[@thetwistedsock3253]

Secrets of the Roman Roads... today of course 😊 Congratulations on what's a great achievement to complete the series 👍

[@PaulMcElligott]

That would have to be a collab with Paul and Rebecca.

[@Donegal-gk5sk]

Can’t wait for “Secrets of The Irish Motorway”!🛣🇮🇪

[@EdgyNumber1]

*THE TRUNK ROADS!!!!! A1, A2, A3... etc....* Great Motorway series John!!!!

[@kelvinhill9874]

A series on old Roman roads would be interesting too.

[@UK.RoadsCyclingandTransport]

This was an amazing series sad to see it end

[@iamweave]

Those missing south slip roads on M1 to M25 really bit me before sat nav devices. I'm a yank and was visiting family in Kettering. I was heading south on M1 to get to Heathrow and missed the exit for the M25. So I was like "No worries, I'll turn around at the next junction and head back and get it." Nope. Went right past M25 and continued north on M1 to J8 before I could turn around yet again and find the M25.

[@philiproszak1678]

The end compilation was so good! You're wicked sweet awesome, John

[@clickrick]

Epic outro, Jon! And thank you for the series!

[@LewisSkinner]

I had no idea when I started they I'd be sitting through 80 videos about motorways 😮. Wow, what a journey!

[@GazzaJAnimal]

Wow! What a ride. Thank you for doing this series, I've enjoyed it tremendously, and in a way, it's sad it has to end.

[@NeechBear]

Your dated sense of humour is like looking in a mirror. Don’t ever change. I can’t wait to see what you embark on next. Thank you for such a wicked sweet awesome entertaining series. Sorted! Love you love time.

[@edwardlees4585]

Thanks John. You've kept us entertained every week. A series on bridges or tunnels, or even abandoned airfields, would be great.

[@pilcrow1546]

Thank you for the most un-ironically interesting documentary series I've watched in a very long time. I'll be rewatching this series again in the future - regardless of whatever it is you get up to now!

[@RDSAlphard]

I genuinely wish this series never ends, it was absolutely brilliant!

[@Rorschach.]

Thanks for a great series, Jon!

[@AutoShenanigans]

Nice one,thanks a lot :)

[@toainsully]

Now we just need a "Best of Secrets of the Motorways" covering the best moments filmed

[@mewosh_]

Can't wait for international Secrets of The Motorway to happen.

[@mewosh_]

Just imagine these titles... Les secrets de l'autoroute Geheimnisse der Autobahn Sekrety autostrad Secretos de la autopista Geheimen van de snelweg Those sound epic

[@PaulabJohnson]

I never thought I'd find a series on Britain's Motorways remotely interesting, yet I did and so did 118 thousand other people. Thank you.

[@SiRhodesDriverTraining]

End of an era mate. I’m looking forward to the next videos.

[@brianaldred8751]

love the collection of aerial shots at the end - great job :)

[@TheCaptScarlett]

0:40 The south links to M1 weren't included to avoid too much 'local' traffic overloading the junction. Plus existing routes achieve the same result: - ACW traffic comes off at J21a and runs down the A405 to M1J6 - or it would have already gone down the A1 to Apex Corner or the North Circular to achieve the same outcome - CW traffic comes off at J19 (see previous episode) (or if its come from the A41 continues across J20) and then follows A41 to join M1 at J5 (Berrygrove Interchange)

[@eddiereed5025]

An excellent series my Sundays will never be the same again ,looking forward to your next project.

[@terencemichaels]

Excellent John, brilliant compilation of closing shots, wicked sweet awesome and thank you so much for not altering the format and words of introduction; something I have found oddly comforting.

[@mattauger5510]

Thank you for a wonderful series Jon!

[@JP_TaVeryMuch]

Blimey the day has finally dawned. Thank you for your sterling efforts and not too tiny joyride. Watching the montage in the outro I was surprised to see that so many of them were filmed in the winter. Your sunny countenance blinded me to the grotty conditions you had to work in. Ta v. much.

[@AdrianLordPiano]

Thank you for making such a watchable series. My Sundays will be so empty now.

[@lm971120]

Thanks Jon, cannot believe it started back in 2022 (I was one of the few people that were watching back then), and thanks for all the hard work! To me my favourite of the series was the Last minute Christmas shopping at motorway services episode (closely ahead of the Secret of the Secret of Motorways episode).

[@JoeKelKel]

I watched it from the start too, sad to see it conclude

[@JoeKelKel]

I watched it from the start too, sad to see it conclude

[@timdench2583]

Round of applause for a’wicked sweet awesome’ series. Cheers Jon.

[@UPnDOWN]

That whirlpool interchange is lovely! Congrats on the series mate, it's been the making of the channel. Safe to say you nailed it!

[@RobPearson286]

not if you've used it at peak times to try to join the M11 northbound from the M25

[@stevehaskew]

A fitting end sequence: lots of clips of a man outstanding in his field. Kudos for finishing the epic series!

[@myjrbs]

😭😭😭 can't believe it's over! Thank You for such an amazing journey, definitely one of the best series in the world!

[@brokengirl248]

Thank you so much for all your hard work and dedication that you have put into making this series. 😊 hope you'll do more. Thank you once again.

[@adampakenhamwildlifenature]

What a fantastic series of videos John. I spend most of my life delivering cars on up-and-down motorways of England, and I’ve learnt so much from this series. Keep up the good work Adam

[@geimfarinn]

Great series, well done. Should be made into a TV show. Interesting fact, here in Iceland we don't actually have any motorways, and outside of Reykjavík practically no dual carriageway either

[@Pepadom]

Can't believe it's over after so long. What a great series!

[@PhilipStorry]

Thanks Jon! This was a great series, and I'm looking forward to "ah, something" - I'm sure it will be great!

[@JRLNeal]

And breathe. … Then award Jon a doctorate on details of the uk motorways. I’m loving the shadow shots of the camera, it adds that ‘I’m not perfect vibe.’

[@combatking0]

Wherever a new motorway is built in the UK, John will be there!

[@sddsddean]

Not first!!!

[@shanefeather-lopez5935]

I can't believe you've finished them all!

[@middlesbroughmike1027]

Ah, no way! The end of an era. By far the best series yet! Looking forward to see what comes next. Thanks Jon.

[@QueenAbigail.the1st]

Thanks John for this wonderful and informative series on Secrets of the Motorways, and kudos to you for braving all weathers and all times of the year. Thank you John and look forward to what comes next.

[@Drawyah]

One last hurrah for Secrets of the Motorway, put it up on the big screen at home! Thoroughly enjoyed this series, can't wait to see what comes next! 😊

[@NashvilleUK]

Thank you Jon, can I suggest now it’s all been filmed that at some point you maybe stitch all/some the videos together in some longer-form videos, I’m sure it’s the kind of thing plenty of people would happily watch in the background whilst spending too much time on social media or video games. Would also be a nice way to go back and rewatch them from the beginning! That would be wicked sweet awesome, thanks. Looking forward to your next project, been subscribed I think from around the 10,000 mark

[@djsmithe]

Jon always has a surprise in his pocket and what a big surprise this one was. A whirlpool interchange. I'd never seen one before and I don't ever want to see another one. Great montage at the end. Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning Red sky at night, sailors delight

[@RobPearson286]

At peak times it can be horrible trying to join the M11 northbound from the M25. Too much traffic already on the M11 north coming out of London for that style of junction, so the slipways grind to a crawl from the weight of traffic joining from M25 westbound and then grinds to a stop from the weight of traffic joining from M25 eastbound.

[@AngryAnt0]

Thank you for a fantastic series. I never thought I'd sit through 80 videos of motorways, still can't quiet believe that I did but not only that enjoyed every single one. Looking forward to another exciting episode of something!

[@elelcoolbey]

It's like the end of an era. I never thought when I first saw a thumbnail for a video about a motorway I'd end up seeing out the rest of the series. Looking forward to seeing what you make next.

[@Einveldi]

I need to re-binge the whole thing now!

[@KidarWolf]

Congratulations on the conclusion of Secrets of the Motorway! It's been a very interesting ride where I've learned more than I ever thought I'd want to know about the British network of motorways. I look forward to seeing what you tackle next!

[@coxallk32]

Another fascinating episode. 👌 I'm sold. Geoff, your secrets of the underground has dropped to No2 in the charts. Congrats to everyone at Auto Shenanigans on this absolutely stunning achievement. Knocking Geoff off his perch.

[@romerogoon]

Not sure what was more awesome - the compilation outro, or the Cillit Bang gag

[@MrMarkgolding78]

I'll be tuning in next week for "Blatantly Obvious Things About Motorways"! Thanks for this series John. It's been fantastic.

[@rochellehewston9367]

Can’t wait for your next series. Please don’t stay away too long, these are so informative and more importantly entertaining John. Thanks a million

[@6thdayblue59]

Brilliant as always….. Mr & Mrs 6thDayBlue x

[@only-vans]

for fans of your outro's, that one is wicked-sweet-awesome to say the least.

[@rogeremberson6464]

I remember many years ago when it used to take about one and a half hours to travel 8 miles along the A128 between Brentwood and Ongar. The bulk of the traffic was HGV's, and there were plenty of collisions due to the restricted width and bendy nature of the road. When the M25 opened, the A128 reverted back to a country lane. The biggest vehicle you may encounter is a bus, and the average journey time between Brentwood and Ongar is now fifteen minutes. You've got more chance of hitting a deer wandering down the road, and I've had a few close calls in my time.

[@TheCardiganR]

What a series this was! Time to start again, re-visiting all the motorways and telling the stories you missed out the first time around or delving deeper into stories already told.

[@billybobbassman]

The end of an era, really enjoyed every episode. Loved the extended credits too. Can't wait for whatever comes next 👍

[@hoggmotorsport]

Hellooo!! 👋 “bang..and the daylight was gone” 🤣🤣 class!! Awesome series Jon, thank you 👍

[@David_D.]

Jon, thank you so much for your unwavering enthusiasm and dedication to making these brilliant films for our entertainment. They have genuinely become a part of every Sunday for so many of us. Here's hoping to see you in a new video series soon, whatever it might be! 😎

[@rdouthwaite]

This series is a masterpiece of British eccentricity and it's bloody fantastic. Nice work fella, carry on...

[@dsj672]

Thanks for all the motorway secrets, saving the "best" 'til last - the dreaded M25!

[@dw7920]

End of an era stuff! However, plenty more tarmac out there so up and at it, no slouching. Here’s a small inducement. (with sincere thanks for all the M-way goodness). 🙏🏻

[@AutoShenanigans]

Nice one, thanks a lot mate

[@martinjolly8351]

Thanks for a great series - may have to start watching it all over again

[@AutoShenanigans]

Thanks a lot mate

[@Eledore]

That ending, honesty at it's best. Can't wait for what is to come.

[@Dwagginz]

My hat is off to you, Jon. Congrats on reaching the end! It's been fun to watch :)

[@MepsiPaxBerri]

This has been an amazing journey round every Motorway, loved following along on this jounrey. Top job Jon, hope you've figured out what's next.

[@def90cars]

Definitely been my favourite thing on KZbin for the last few months. Looking forward to your next venture.

[@kingkarrotyt5277]

Secrets of the declassified motorways next? 👀 (e.g. M10 and East Cross Route), can't let that opening music go! Thank you very much Jon for a series I've been waiting for someone to make!

[@GlasshouseandGarden]

I’ve LOVED this whole series but especially the M25 which I know (too) well. The narrative is way too fast for me though… I have to rewind and rewatch a lot!

[@kelvinmoon8938]

Nooooo!!! Can’t believe that’s it.. absolutely loved this series. Going to really miss it on a Sunday Evening.

[@LastofAvari]

What an epic series it was! Thanks, Jon!

[@shadowdancer5x5]

End of an era! Thanks for the entertainment. Can't wait to see what's next...

[@smogmonster1876]

An absolutely fabulous series. My Sundays will never be the same without my fix of Sotm. Whatever you do next Jon I wish you success and safe travels. Take care.

[@davidyardley512]

What a brilliant series these have been Jon! Congratulations mate.

[@user-cf6sf6yr5n]

I dont know what im going to do on a sunday now this series is over, its been brilliant with a cuppa just watching these !

[@tucker9162]

Absolutely brilliant series John. It's weird seeing motorways from above or different angles, rather than just driving along them.

[@clickrick]

I was living just south of St Albans when the M25 was being planned and built, so went to a couple of the public meetings about it. The explanation we were given at the time about why J 21 was only going to have partial access was twofold: 1. They wanted the M25 to serve more as a way for traffic to get past London without having to go in and back out, and less as a way for any traffic already in London to be able to get easily from one part to another. What they never explained, though, was why J 21 was the only example of this. 2. There was already the M1 J6, as you noted, so building that roundabout to be able to get traffic in the remaining directions was sufficient. The fact that the roundabout also has a dreadful exit to Garston - that I regularly had to use - means that I still shudder at the memory or it, but I can only assume that there haven't been sufficient calls (or sufficient accidents, anyway) for it to be improved.

[@ironryan36]

Amazing work sir. 👏🏻 I love your vids! Being a van driver of 13 years based in Letchworth, delivering between there and London every day, these M25 ones have been a joy!

[@tonytricks]

So I can now binge watch secrets of ALL the motorways. Looking forward to the next phase too

[@jovetj]

Best ending outro of them all!! Bravo sir, a fantastic journey!

[@RichardC2424]

Thanks and have a good week

[@AutoShenanigans]

Thanks a lot mate!