0:00:02 > 0:00:03The A1 -
0:00:03 > 0:00:04Britain's longest road...
0:00:06 > 0:00:08..stretching almost 400 miles,
0:00:08 > 0:00:12from the City of London to the heart of the Scottish capital.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16Connecting two nations and passing through 18 counties,
0:00:16 > 0:00:19it's an unrivalled highway, used by hundreds of thousands
0:00:19 > 0:00:22of vehicles every day.
0:00:22 > 0:00:26We're going southbound down the A1, on the northbound carriageway.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30But not all journeys go to plan.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35I thought, "I'm going to lose my life."
0:00:35 > 0:00:38- Cars are coming close. - It is the dangerous place to be.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41Lives can hang in the balance.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44The rear end of that vehicle, it is unrecognisable.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46This is actually the bodywork of the car.
0:00:47 > 0:00:4924 hours a day...
0:00:49 > 0:00:51It's not a safe place here.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54..there is a team of people who keep us safe from harm.
0:00:55 > 0:00:56The police...
0:00:58 > 0:01:01- ..response teams...- We don't know whether they've got the road closed
0:01:01 > 0:01:02or we don't know what's happened.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04..and traffic officers...
0:01:06 > 0:01:07Mate, keep going.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10..keeping Britain's most iconic road...
0:01:10 > 0:01:13- Get out!- ..on the move.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Substantially-damaged flatbed truck in lane two.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22The A1, the monster that it is, will start to return to normal.
0:01:25 > 0:01:26Coming up...
0:01:28 > 0:01:30Flying debris smashes into a minibus.
0:01:32 > 0:01:33Life can change so quickly.
0:01:33 > 0:01:38Something has come off another vehicle and created this carnage.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44A high-speed police chase leads to a major drugs bust.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47Could be amphetamine, could be cocaine.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49We've got the result we wanted.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52- And getting into a flap.- We've currently got a couple of swans
0:01:52 > 0:01:56- on the A1.- Two birds bring the road to a standstill.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58The traffic is backed three miles now.
0:02:03 > 0:02:09The A1 is a 400-mile superhighway - a key artery from central London,
0:02:09 > 0:02:13through the fields of Lincolnshire, past the northern powerhouses
0:02:13 > 0:02:14of Leeds and Newcastle,
0:02:14 > 0:02:17before crossing the Border and skirting the Scottish coast,
0:02:17 > 0:02:20ending at Edinburgh's Waverley Station.
0:02:23 > 0:02:27One of the busiest stretches is in the north-east of England,
0:02:27 > 0:02:31where more than 90,000 vehicles use the A1 every day.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36Almost all are law-abiding motorists,
0:02:36 > 0:02:38but some are anything but.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44It's rush hour and cutting through the traffic
0:02:44 > 0:02:48is PC Alan Keenliside, who's on his way to an emergency.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52We've been asked to go into Durham's area, which is actually really,
0:02:52 > 0:02:56really rare. So, either Durham shouted for help
0:02:56 > 0:03:01or there is a vehicle of high interest to the police
0:03:01 > 0:03:04which may be coming our way.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12As he nears Durham, more intelligence comes in.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15So, we've got a vehicle travelling up into our area
0:03:15 > 0:03:19with a high level... A high quantity of drugs in it.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22Criminals use the A1 to get around, and our main thing that we do
0:03:22 > 0:03:26in the traffic department is we deny criminals the use of the road.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28And that's what we're going to be doing tonight.
0:03:29 > 0:03:34A suspicious car has been spotted heading north on its way up the A1.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44Joined by three other pursuit cars,
0:03:44 > 0:03:46they quickly need to catch up with the suspect.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52To stop them safely, it's vital they have the element of surprise.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55Blue lights show up from miles back.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57So, what we need to do is we need to make ground,
0:03:57 > 0:03:59as quickly and safely as possible,
0:03:59 > 0:04:02but not show the person our blue lights.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05So we don't want that vehicle to fail to stop,
0:04:05 > 0:04:06we don't want a pursuit to happen.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09But cutting through the congestion
0:04:09 > 0:04:14without blue lights and sirens makes for frustratingly slow progress.
0:04:14 > 0:04:15Light's going on here.
0:04:21 > 0:04:2414 miles after their pursuit started on the A1,
0:04:24 > 0:04:27Alan and the team have the target vehicle in their sights.
0:04:30 > 0:04:31They will use a tactical stop,
0:04:31 > 0:04:34boxing the suspect vehicle in completely.
0:04:37 > 0:04:38SIRENS WAIL
0:04:41 > 0:04:45The car has been stopped safely and the driver arrested...
0:04:45 > 0:04:47Come in the front one, use the front one.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54..exactly how Alan hoped things would pan out.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57We caught the driver by complete shock.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00He's driving along minding his own business.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02He's got his radio on and, the next minute,
0:05:02 > 0:05:06he's surrounded by police cars with blue lights, sirens.
0:05:06 > 0:05:10And we do that for a very, very good reason, because it shocks them.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13And by shocking the driver, it will essentially stun them.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18With the suspect taken away for questioning,
0:05:18 > 0:05:20officers now need to search the car for drugs.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24But as the sniffer dogs are called in,
0:05:24 > 0:05:28will this pursuit operation end in a bust or be totally blown?
0:05:32 > 0:05:36Alan's force, Northumbria, is one of 15 tasked with keeping
0:05:36 > 0:05:38the roads safe for the travelling public.
0:05:41 > 0:05:4370 miles south down the A1,
0:05:43 > 0:05:45in the North Yorkshire village of Tollerton,
0:05:45 > 0:05:48a champion cattle breeder is preparing for a big journey.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58Farmer Paul Harrison travels on the A1 with his South Devon cows
0:05:58 > 0:05:59all year round.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07That means he knows the A1 like the back of his hand.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10But he knows his herd by their backsides.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12As daft as it is,
0:06:12 > 0:06:17by looking at how big their bums are, I can tell you which is...
0:06:17 > 0:06:21Obviously, that's Stella, Juniper and Dina.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24And Winston is obviously the male of the ones that has a bit more
0:06:24 > 0:06:26of an attachment underneath!
0:06:30 > 0:06:33But his wife Pam doesn't have quite such an intimate knowledge.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37I go more by the head, by the tag.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39I don't know them as well as Paul.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44I do spend a lot of time with my animals, out in the field,
0:06:44 > 0:06:48talking to them. Second to Pam is the cattle.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50Oh, my word. That's a first!
0:06:52 > 0:06:53Good girl.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57Today, the couple are prepping four of their finest
0:06:57 > 0:07:02for the end of season show 130 miles down the A1 in Peterborough.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07And Paul and Pam are optimistic it will be a fruitful journey.
0:07:07 > 0:07:12This one was won last week at the Skipton Sale.
0:07:12 > 0:07:17This one is for the champion at the Great Yorkshire.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22Over the past 40 years, Paul and Pam have scooped up
0:07:22 > 0:07:25more than 200 trophies and rosettes from all over the country.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31It is a bug that, once you've got it, you can't do without it.
0:07:31 > 0:07:32It's like a fix, really!
0:07:34 > 0:07:36But before any more trophies head back to Yorkshire,
0:07:36 > 0:07:39Paul needs to get his stars to the show.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41We will see whether Juniper will go in.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43Oh, you are going in there, are you?
0:07:43 > 0:07:47The trouble is three of them have never travelled before.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51Come on. You'll have to walk better than this tomorrow
0:07:51 > 0:07:53or else we won't be going.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56- Good girl.- Come on, girl.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58Winston, a 1.5 tonne young bull,
0:07:58 > 0:08:01will need more than a shove to get into the trailer.
0:08:01 > 0:08:02Come on, lad. Good lad.
0:08:04 > 0:08:05Good boy.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10And after some more sweet talking from Paul...
0:08:10 > 0:08:13- Come on, then.- ..all four cows are loaded and they are ready
0:08:13 > 0:08:14to hit the road.
0:08:18 > 0:08:19Away we go.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27As they join the A1, the calves are all calm and relaxed.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33For Paul and Pam, they will be hoping this latest road trip will be
0:08:33 > 0:08:35a little less eventful than previous journeys.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40We were going to Smithfield, weren't we?
0:08:40 > 0:08:42And all of a sudden,
0:08:42 > 0:08:48you could feel it was being a bit spongy on the right-hand side.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52A kind man pulled up and said, "Have you a problem?
0:08:52 > 0:08:53And I said, "Yeah, I've got a flat tyre."
0:08:53 > 0:08:58He said, "Well, we can't lift the wagon up on a jack with animals in."
0:08:58 > 0:09:02So, we actually did fasten them to the crash barrier
0:09:02 > 0:09:07and then they stood there while he actually got the wheels off,
0:09:07 > 0:09:10mended it and set off again.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16Yeah, we did get some strange looks, with four animals fastened
0:09:16 > 0:09:17to the crash barrier of the A1...
0:09:17 > 0:09:18BOTH LAUGH
0:09:20 > 0:09:22..which, nowadays, wouldn't be allowed.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25It was one of those that you remember and you think,
0:09:25 > 0:09:27"Hopefully, never again."
0:09:29 > 0:09:33Barring an impromptu cattle show on the side of the carriageway,
0:09:33 > 0:09:36it will take Paul and Pam three and a half hours to ferry
0:09:36 > 0:09:39their precious cargo down the A1 to Peterborough.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44But will Paul's calves arrive in tip-top condition and bring another
0:09:44 > 0:09:46haul of trophies back to Yorkshire?
0:09:50 > 0:09:52Should their heifers need help on their journey,
0:09:52 > 0:09:57the A1 now has a dedicated team of nearly 120 traffic officers
0:09:57 > 0:10:00on hand to provide assistance.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03And one of the busiest beats for these helpers in hi-viz
0:10:03 > 0:10:06is a 17-mile stretch near Doncaster,
0:10:06 > 0:10:11where large volumes of traffic are squeezed into just two lanes.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16It's 6am and Paul Day and Rob Larkin
0:10:16 > 0:10:20are getting ready to patrol this tricky stretch of the road.
0:10:24 > 0:10:28They've worked together for 11 years, but a combination of a dark,
0:10:28 > 0:10:30wet, winter morning and rush-hour
0:10:30 > 0:10:33means that these two won't be enjoying a cosy chat today.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38- Charlie Echo 1-3.- And within minutes of hitting the road,
0:10:38 > 0:10:41they are on their way to a collision at a major intersection,
0:10:41 > 0:10:43where the A1 meets the M18.
0:10:45 > 0:10:50What we've got reports of is a two-vehicle crash, lane one,
0:10:50 > 0:10:51one facing the wrong way.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54With so many cars on the road,
0:10:54 > 0:10:58a crash at rush-hour can quickly lead to more incidents,
0:10:58 > 0:11:00so Paul and Rob need to get there fast.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07At the scene, it's people, and not vehicles, that are Paul's priority.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09Hi. Anybody injured?
0:11:10 > 0:11:13The Skoda has taken the brunt of the impact,
0:11:13 > 0:11:15spinning it round in the opposite direction.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18We've got some barrier damage.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22The vehicle's on the hard shoulder and is still facing the wrong way.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24And it's only the crash barrier
0:11:24 > 0:11:26which has saved the driver from plunging into the ditch.
0:11:26 > 0:11:27Have you got any recovery?
0:11:31 > 0:11:33How long? Within an hour?
0:11:36 > 0:11:41Luckily, both drivers seem fine, but with rush-hour traffic building,
0:11:41 > 0:11:43Paul is not prepared to wait that long.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46Because it's not a safe place here, so we'll get it shifted, all right?
0:11:48 > 0:11:50To get the Skoda towed away safely,
0:11:50 > 0:11:53it needs to be moved off the slip road,
0:11:53 > 0:11:55so Paul is going to have to stop the traffic.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01Because of the weather and the way everything is facing,
0:12:01 > 0:12:04it can create a distraction, that could cause another one,
0:12:04 > 0:12:05like a secondary crash.
0:12:07 > 0:12:08For every minute the road is closed,
0:12:08 > 0:12:12the tailbacks will grow and could quickly stretch for miles.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15It takes as long as it takes. We just take our time,
0:12:15 > 0:12:19make sure everybody's safe, make sure it's all done right.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26It's not a perfect start to a Tuesday morning, this,
0:12:26 > 0:12:31but we'll make what we can of it.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41It takes Paul and Rob just three minutes to shift the Skoda
0:12:41 > 0:12:42and get the traffic flowing again.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48But not everyone is impressed.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52We've had the odd toot from the passing motorists,
0:12:52 > 0:12:53appreciating our efforts(!)
0:12:53 > 0:12:57But even if it's only slowed people down by five minutes...
0:12:57 > 0:12:58TOOTING
0:12:58 > 0:13:02..if we weren't here doing it, it would slow them down
0:13:02 > 0:13:05a hell of a lot more, because there is all this stuff there -
0:13:05 > 0:13:06rubbernecking going, "Oh, what's that?"
0:13:06 > 0:13:08Cos we moved it, they're moving again.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15Rob and Paul will deal with another 100 similar incidents
0:13:15 > 0:13:18over the course of the year.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22But for Skoda driver Monica Jednowski,
0:13:22 > 0:13:26it's an ordeal she hopes she will never repeat.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29I have never had a crash before, never experienced anything like it.
0:13:29 > 0:13:35So...for a few seconds, I thought I'm going to lose my life.
0:13:35 > 0:13:40If those barriers were not there, I would probably not be here now.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43And, yeah, that's it.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48But when traffic officers are involved,
0:13:48 > 0:13:50every cloud has a silver lining.
0:13:50 > 0:13:55- Tuck that in.- Like a turkey?!- If you put your hand inside... That's it.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57As the lads get back on the road,
0:13:57 > 0:14:00it's a scenario they've seen hundreds of times.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05What we had there was a combination of everything
0:14:05 > 0:14:07that could have gone wrong, went wrong.
0:14:07 > 0:14:12People might have been in the wrong lanes, the weather was terrible.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15- Dark.- Dark. They weren't watching where they were going properly.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18- Just people not paying attention, isn't it?- Yep.
0:14:18 > 0:14:22For Paul and Rob, there is still six hours of their shift to go,
0:14:22 > 0:14:26and with nearly 2,100 accidents happening up and down the road
0:14:26 > 0:14:29every year, that's five every day.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32Traffic officers rarely get a quiet shift.
0:14:35 > 0:14:36100 miles north,
0:14:36 > 0:14:39PC Alan Keenliside's regular night-time patrol of the A1
0:14:39 > 0:14:42has taken a dramatic turn.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47Alan and his fellow officers have tracked a suspected drug dealer
0:14:47 > 0:14:50from the motorway to the suburbs of Sunderland,
0:14:50 > 0:14:52where they boxed him in and arrested him.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00A sniffer dog is now on the scene, to discover if their intelligence
0:15:00 > 0:15:03is correct and the car does contain drugs.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08She is trained for drugs, cash and the weapons.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10If there's anything of any interest,
0:15:10 > 0:15:11she will obviously hone in on it.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13So, I'll just give her a free search to start off with,
0:15:13 > 0:15:15see if there's any areas of interest.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18Straightaway, spaniel Kim has singled out the central console.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21If there's interest and she can't get close enough,
0:15:21 > 0:15:23she's, kind of, like, digging, to get to it.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27- It's more confirmation. - It's a promising start,
0:15:27 > 0:15:31but dog handler Matt Welsh wants Kim to search the rest of the vehicle
0:15:31 > 0:15:33before getting involved.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36Her sense of smell is that good that she can pick up on residual scent.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39There is potential in something that could have been there hours,
0:15:39 > 0:15:40days ago.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43And Kim is showing a keen interest
0:15:43 > 0:15:46in the space underneath the boot, too.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50It's time for Alan to dig deeper.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54People actually hide things in the tyres.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58Real professional set-ups.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01They take the tyre off the rim, fill it full of drugs.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03We'll have a quick look.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09Looks like sniffer dog Kim has definitely got a lead.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14That's not normal activity.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16If there was nothing there, she would have been away from that,
0:16:16 > 0:16:20she'd have been flying around in the bush, but she's gone straight there.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22As Alan checks out the tyre,
0:16:22 > 0:16:26other officers are investigating Kim's initial area of interest.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29She was going for the console under the seats
0:16:29 > 0:16:32- and there is a big stash there, so...- Is there?
0:16:32 > 0:16:34Yeah, check out the front seat.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39That's what we're looking at.
0:16:43 > 0:16:48So, that is probably what? Ten inches, nine-ten inches,
0:16:48 > 0:16:51by about six inches there and reasonably thick.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55A solid block of what appears to be some form of white substance.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58It was right in here inside the console itself.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00It's down and it's in under here.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03It could be amphetamine, it could be cocaine.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06The dog has done its job and we got the result we wanted.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12It's one of the biggest hauls Alan has ever come across
0:17:12 > 0:17:15and it will now be sent to the laboratory for tests.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21I can smell engine, I can smell brakes, I can smell gear,
0:17:21 > 0:17:22I can smell oil.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25It is a smell of a three-litre A4
0:17:25 > 0:17:28having worked very, very well indeed.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35For Alan, it's back to the A1, doing the job he loves.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40Everyone who works on traffic, you like driving,
0:17:40 > 0:17:43you are a bit of a petrol head and sometimes, you know,
0:17:43 > 0:17:46you have got to pinch yourself and you have to think,
0:17:46 > 0:17:50"Do I really get to come to work and drive real top-end cars?"
0:17:50 > 0:17:53And you are driving them at the highest possible level
0:17:53 > 0:17:55and catching bad guys.
0:17:55 > 0:18:00You just think, "It's the best job in the world."
0:18:03 > 0:18:06And his hard work tonight has really paid off.
0:18:06 > 0:18:11Tests later revealed the package contains a kilo of uncut cocaine
0:18:11 > 0:18:14with a street value of around £50,000.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23More than 120 miles south,
0:18:23 > 0:18:28champion cattle breeder Paul Harrison and his wife Pam are halfway through
0:18:28 > 0:18:32their journey transporting four of their prize-winning herd to a show in Peterborough.
0:18:34 > 0:18:39Large parts of the modern A1 follow the lines of the Roman road used
0:18:39 > 0:18:42to move troops and livestock up and down the country.
0:18:42 > 0:18:482,000 years later, a new generation of road users have come to rely on it.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51Yeah, the backbone of our travelling is the A1.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54Because it's the main road out of Yorkshire, really.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58Paul and Pam are veterans of the road,
0:18:58 > 0:19:02but it's the first time that many of the young calves have left the farm,
0:19:02 > 0:19:04never mind Yorkshire.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06But so far they're taking it all in their stride.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10The thing that makes the difference, I think,
0:19:10 > 0:19:14is having this trailer with a flap at the front, you know,
0:19:14 > 0:19:17they can put their head up, they are getting a bit of fresh air.
0:19:17 > 0:19:22It's an adventure for the animal and the animal has to be happy.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25It's a bit like entertaining children, really.
0:19:27 > 0:19:32Not that I was the one that entertained our son because I was always working.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34With the cows!
0:19:40 > 0:19:45After three and a half hours on the road, they've all arrived safely at the showground in Peterborough.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49But even though they've travelled well,
0:19:49 > 0:19:54being cooped up in a tin box means the cows are desperate to roam free.
0:19:57 > 0:19:58Stand.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00You are coming out backwards.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02That's it. Back out, then.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04- COW MOOS - Don't get a strop on.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09Wait.
0:20:12 > 0:20:13Just be a bit careful.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20Don't get a strop on.
0:20:21 > 0:20:22Steady.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25Steady.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28Wrestling this much boisterous beef certainly isn't easy.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30Steady.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32Stand.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36But, finally, Paul and Pam get their unruly herd bedded down.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41If you just look in the side here, how she is puffing...
0:20:42 > 0:20:45..that is the stress factor due to travelling.
0:20:45 > 0:20:50So they want to settle down and they will be fine tomorrow, hopefully.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52Hopefully.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57The feisty foursome will be competing
0:20:57 > 0:21:00with more than 200 prize specimens in tomorrow's show.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07And Pam thinks their competition numbers could be a good omen.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09Well, there is a five,
0:21:09 > 0:21:13and five is actually one of my lucky numbers, is five.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17So all being well, we might be lucky.
0:21:21 > 0:21:25On the eve of battle, the rivalry is already hotting up.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29I won last year, you won the year before and I won the year before that.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32- I think we won the year before that.- I think.- Very even.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34Last four years, we are on an even keel.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37- This is the year.- We're not on an even keel because I haven't won yet.
0:21:37 > 0:21:38THEY CHUCKLE
0:21:38 > 0:21:41With such fierce competition,
0:21:41 > 0:21:46Paul hopes a good night's rest will see his cows in prime condition for tomorrow's show.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54110 miles north lies the busiest stretch of the A1,
0:21:54 > 0:21:57where it meets the M1, near Leeds.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01Traffic officers Rob Larkin and Paul Day patrol this patch,
0:22:01 > 0:22:04which sees more than 90,000 vehicles a day.
0:22:06 > 0:22:11Parking up and keeping a close eye on the road is a vital part of their job.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15From here, we can see the A1 over to our right so we can keep an eye
0:22:15 > 0:22:20on the flow and it gives us access both north and south from here.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22It's a really good place for parking up
0:22:22 > 0:22:25and just keeping an eye on things ticking over.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29Paul and Rob have worked together for over a decade,
0:22:29 > 0:22:35a double act forged during long hours spent patrolling one of Britain's busiest roads.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39I'd work with him every day because I know how he works and I know he will be looking out for me.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41We want to be together.
0:22:42 > 0:22:48By working together a lot, you create this bond where you are...
0:22:48 > 0:22:51in each other's hands, sort of thing.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54I could trust him with my life and he could trust me with his life
0:22:54 > 0:22:56and that's how we work.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00When it comes to Britain's most dangerous workplaces,
0:23:00 > 0:23:03motorways are right up there.
0:23:04 > 0:23:11In the last five years, two fellow traffic officers have tragically lost their lives on duty.
0:23:11 > 0:23:15So Rob is all too aware of the risks of this deadly road.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21I think every day when I'm going out that gate,
0:23:21 > 0:23:22"I wonder if I'll come back today,"
0:23:22 > 0:23:25because you are working in a very, very dangerous environment.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28One day, you might not come back.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33I have that thought.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37It is prevalent in your head, isn't it? Whereas it's not in mine.
0:23:37 > 0:23:38I have that thought every day.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41I think to myself, "I wonder if I'll get back today."
0:23:41 > 0:23:44I never, ever think that at all.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51It shocks me as much as you don't think it.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53Never. Never entered my head.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57Well, it has entered my head now because you said it.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05But the chance to reflect and relax is soon over.
0:24:06 > 0:24:12A report has come in about some dangerous debris lying in the middle of the motorway.
0:24:12 > 0:24:17This has been reported as a piece of metal that has fallen off of a LGV
0:24:17 > 0:24:19so it could be flicked up by a car
0:24:19 > 0:24:21and it could cause some serious trouble.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25The debris has been reported east of Leeds.
0:24:25 > 0:24:26And as they approach the scene,
0:24:26 > 0:24:30it appears to have already wreaked havoc.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33On the right-hand side there, it looks like the police have vehicles.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36As you can see, it has smashed the window.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40In fact, it's created a right mess.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43Something may have flicked it up and then it has gone into that minibus.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50It's all too apparent how serious this incident is.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57They've been so lucky,
0:24:57 > 0:24:59the people in this vehicle,
0:24:59 > 0:25:03that it's actually hit the passenger side of the vehicle
0:25:03 > 0:25:05where nobody is likely to be sat.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10The minibus was carrying a group of 12 children to school
0:25:10 > 0:25:11when it was struck
0:25:11 > 0:25:14and they've had a fortunate escape.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20The main thing it makes me think of is how life can change so quickly.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23These have been travelling along, not a care in the world,
0:25:23 > 0:25:26and through no fault of their own,
0:25:26 > 0:25:30something has come off another vehicle and created this carnage.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35Incredibly, no-one on the minibus has been injured,
0:25:35 > 0:25:39but Paul and Rob fear the mystery object could cause another accident,
0:25:39 > 0:25:42so they have to find it...and fast.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48Watching over the A1 round the clock
0:25:48 > 0:25:51is a vast network of more than 300 CCTV cameras.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56At one of the four regional control centres in Newcastle,
0:25:56 > 0:26:00incident manager Ian Lee is keeping a close eye on the road.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06Ian has learned that even though the road is pretty straight,
0:26:06 > 0:26:09daily life on it has many twists and turns.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11We have currently got a couple of swans
0:26:11 > 0:26:15that have decided to have a waddle on the A1.
0:26:18 > 0:26:23The reason being is a wet asphalt surface looks like a river.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25So they landed on it. Obviously,
0:26:25 > 0:26:28something the size of a swan could do some damage to a vehicle
0:26:28 > 0:26:29or could cause a secondary incident.
0:26:31 > 0:26:35CCTV operator Craig Cushing is liaising with the team at the scene.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39It's the first time I've witnessed swans on a carriageway.
0:26:39 > 0:26:43Highway Patrol has put a block on southbound traffic.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46A very busy junction at this time of day.
0:26:46 > 0:26:47But for traffic officers,
0:26:47 > 0:26:50avian evacuations are clearly beyond their job brief.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52Rather than try and capture the swans,
0:26:52 > 0:26:55they are trying to initiate a take-off by flapping their wings,
0:26:55 > 0:26:57with no joy.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02We can admire the endeavour.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09Now, I think if that traffic officer takes a run and flaps his wing,
0:27:09 > 0:27:11he may take off himself!
0:27:11 > 0:27:13LAUGHTER
0:27:14 > 0:27:17I'm trying to be as professional as I possibly can here.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21But they have failed in taking off.
0:27:23 > 0:27:24You couldn't write this.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29However, it's no joke that the A1 has ground to a halt.
0:27:29 > 0:27:34I mean, we've had that closed there for...about five minutes now,
0:27:34 > 0:27:39and the traffic is back to probably about three miles now.
0:27:42 > 0:27:46Thankfully, though, the traffic officers have managed to shoo the swans
0:27:46 > 0:27:49off the motorway and they are able to reopen the road.
0:27:50 > 0:27:55I hope they've got insurance details because we will be putting a claim in against them.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59But with the birds still at the side of the carriageway,
0:27:59 > 0:28:03the traffic officers won't be taking off to another job just yet.
0:28:06 > 0:28:10More than 200 animals, all of them posing a danger to motorists,
0:28:10 > 0:28:13had to be removed from the road last year.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17But thankfully, farmer Paul Harrison
0:28:17 > 0:28:19has managed to keep his prize-winning cows
0:28:19 > 0:28:22under control on their trip south to Peterborough.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24Now it's showtime.
0:28:28 > 0:28:32More than 200 competitors are preparing to battle it out
0:28:32 > 0:28:35at the Smithfield Festival, one of the most prestigious shows of the season,
0:28:35 > 0:28:41and champion breeders Paul and Pam Harrison are here to check up on how their four young calves
0:28:41 > 0:28:45have fared overnight after yesterday's long journey from North Yorkshire.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48All right, nippies? All right?
0:28:48 > 0:28:49It's your dad.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52You are chewing, aren't you, lass?
0:28:52 > 0:28:54Yeah, they look well. Settled.
0:28:54 > 0:28:56Yeah, pleased with them.
0:28:59 > 0:29:01As Paul gets them all up,
0:29:01 > 0:29:05sleepy Stella seems to be in a bit of a situation.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08That's what I told you, just wait, wait. Wait.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11Wait. Wait.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13Good lass. That's it.
0:29:13 > 0:29:15You're all right.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18Clearly Stella is not at her best first thing.
0:29:18 > 0:29:20But a makeover should help...
0:29:21 > 0:29:23Good girl.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26..at Farmer Paul's Bovine Beauty Salon.
0:29:28 > 0:29:30Look at that.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32You are like a lovely fluffy ball, aren't you, Juniper?
0:29:32 > 0:29:34You have the best coat of them all.
0:29:37 > 0:29:41Everybody comes and says, "That Yorkshire man isn't going to win."
0:29:42 > 0:29:48I never lay down lightly, so it will be interesting to see what happens.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51And Paul has not got long to wait.
0:29:51 > 0:29:53The competition is about to get underway.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59And the first class of South Devon into ring three, please.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04First up for Paul is his unruly young bull, Winston.
0:30:07 > 0:30:09Weighing in at over 1.5 tonnes,
0:30:09 > 0:30:12Winston is much bigger than his rivals.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14Good lad.
0:30:14 > 0:30:16Good lad.
0:30:16 > 0:30:18Steady.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21But if he doesn't stand still for judge Douglas Scott,
0:30:21 > 0:30:23this big boy could blow his chances.
0:30:25 > 0:30:26Steady.
0:30:28 > 0:30:29Good lad.
0:30:31 > 0:30:33But in the cow-showing world...
0:30:33 > 0:30:34Thank you very much.
0:30:34 > 0:30:36..does size really matter?
0:30:38 > 0:30:40- Thank you very much, Douglas. - Thank you.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42Thank you.
0:30:42 > 0:30:46Winston's first prize is just the start of Paul and Pam's winning streak.
0:30:46 > 0:30:49Thank you very much. Thank you, Douglas. Thank you.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53I thought the South West would get that one,
0:30:53 > 0:30:57but the judge's decision is final.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59And then it's prize heifer Stella.
0:31:03 > 0:31:04And she doesn't disappoint.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06Thank you very much.
0:31:07 > 0:31:11And there is even a third place for the older heifer, Dinah.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13Big smiles, everybody.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17Steven, don't let the side down.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22You couldn't have done any better than what we've done.
0:31:22 > 0:31:26There is that many, I'm dropping them.
0:31:26 > 0:31:30Hopefully, Pam will find a place for these on the sideboard.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33They'll fit. They'll fit. I'll make them fit.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35Even with all of today's victories,
0:31:35 > 0:31:39Paul and Pam are hoping to add one final prize to their mantelpiece.
0:31:42 > 0:31:44Their star of the show, Stella,
0:31:44 > 0:31:46is going up against all of the other award winners
0:31:46 > 0:31:50in a bid to be crowned champion of champions.
0:31:54 > 0:31:55This is a nervy part
0:31:55 > 0:31:59because obviously this is the highlight of the show.
0:32:00 > 0:32:05And with some serious silverware on offer, judge Ian Green really has
0:32:05 > 0:32:07his work cut out.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11Ian Green casts his eye around a quality field.
0:32:15 > 0:32:20Who is going to win this pedigree calf interbreed championship this afternoon?
0:32:28 > 0:32:30It is the Charolais!
0:32:30 > 0:32:34Sadly for Paul and Stella, they've been beaten by a real heavyweight.
0:32:34 > 0:32:36But they are far from down.
0:32:36 > 0:32:40I don't think I've ever come to Smithfield and done as well, ever.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44You know, bringing four animals and just dropping one prize.
0:32:44 > 0:32:46Well, that is tremendous.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51And Paul's prize cows seem so happy with their medal haul,
0:32:51 > 0:32:53they don't actually want to leave.
0:32:53 > 0:32:55Get up. Come on.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57Come on.
0:32:58 > 0:32:59Come on. Get up.
0:32:59 > 0:33:01Get up.
0:33:01 > 0:33:03All that's left for Paul and his cows...
0:33:03 > 0:33:04Good lass.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06..is the three-and-a-half-hour journey
0:33:06 > 0:33:08back up the A1 to their Yorkshire home.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18A staggering 2,500 pieces of debris have had to be retrieved
0:33:18 > 0:33:21from the carriageway every year,
0:33:21 > 0:33:24each one of them with the potential to cause carnage.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29Back in West Yorkshire, traffic officers Paul and Rob
0:33:29 > 0:33:32are still on the trail of a mystery object
0:33:32 > 0:33:35which has slammed into the windscreen of a school minibus.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38Central res. Whereabouts?
0:33:38 > 0:33:41Helping in the search is PC Dan Baldwin
0:33:41 > 0:33:43who was first on the scene.
0:33:45 > 0:33:49Rob is up on the banking and he can see into the, er...into the gully
0:33:49 > 0:33:51and he is looking to see if he can see some debris.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53He thinks there is something in there.
0:33:53 > 0:33:58So far, PC Baldwin's risky recce of the central reservation
0:33:58 > 0:33:59seems to have drawn a blank.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03It appears it's obviously not what we are looking for,
0:34:03 > 0:34:04it must be bigger.
0:34:07 > 0:34:10But then Paul spots something in the distance.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13It's just up past there.
0:34:13 > 0:34:15Behind, up there.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19I've seen it.
0:34:19 > 0:34:23It's behind the barrier near the phone.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28This enormous piece of metal and plastic
0:34:28 > 0:34:31appears to be the roof off a van.
0:34:32 > 0:34:35- Well, that's it.- I wasn't kidding when I said it was a big piece.
0:34:35 > 0:34:36Full roof, yeah.
0:34:38 > 0:34:43There is a risk a gust of wind could catch this sail-like object again,
0:34:43 > 0:34:46blowing it back into the carriageway and causing carnage.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51So Paul secures it in a sheltered spot.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55With the size of this debris,
0:34:55 > 0:35:00can we get our contractors to gantry 9568 Bravo
0:35:00 > 0:35:02to pick this debris up?
0:35:02 > 0:35:05It is probably ten foot by eight foot
0:35:05 > 0:35:09with fibreglass Perspex in the middle.
0:35:09 > 0:35:11It is probably as big as a transit roof.
0:35:11 > 0:35:13The whole lot. You see there?
0:35:13 > 0:35:16- Yeah, I see how big it is. - It's 8 foot by 10. It's massive.
0:35:18 > 0:35:22Probably the biggest piece of debris I've ever seen on the motorway.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25Normally it is tyres or lumps of wood, things like that.
0:35:25 > 0:35:29But, I mean, I think that's to take the record, the roof off the truck.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35With the response team on its way to collect the roof and the minibus
0:35:35 > 0:35:38soon to be recovered, Paul and Rob can hit the road again.
0:35:38 > 0:35:40So, so lucky.
0:35:52 > 0:35:56Incredibly, footage soon emerges from a following motorist
0:35:56 > 0:35:59which shows exactly what happened.
0:36:12 > 0:36:16The wind appears to have got under the van roof and sent it hurtling
0:36:16 > 0:36:20across the carriageway into the path of the minibus.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34Back at base, Paul and Rob are keen to see for themselves
0:36:34 > 0:36:36how the incident unfolded.
0:36:45 > 0:36:47There's the van.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51Oh. Look at that.
0:36:54 > 0:36:55The van has not even noticed, has it?
0:36:55 > 0:36:58Oh, that could have just been so much worse than that.
0:36:58 > 0:37:00I mean,
0:37:00 > 0:37:01it wasn't flapping,
0:37:01 > 0:37:04it wasn't giving any indication it was going to come off,
0:37:04 > 0:37:06it's just peeled off all at once.
0:37:07 > 0:37:13It appears the calm actions of the driver have prevented things ending in disaster.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17That minibus driver wants a medal.
0:37:17 > 0:37:19He never even flinched.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21He didn't panic, did he? I'll give him that.
0:37:21 > 0:37:23He didn't even move out of lane.
0:37:23 > 0:37:24He indicated.
0:37:24 > 0:37:28Having the kids screaming, like the probably would have been,
0:37:28 > 0:37:30and then still having the calm rational thinking
0:37:30 > 0:37:34to think, "Hang on, I need to get it over." It's amazing.
0:37:35 > 0:37:36He could have swerved violently
0:37:36 > 0:37:38and then the minibus may have rolled over
0:37:38 > 0:37:40and gone into the central reservation.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43It could have been carnage. It could have so easily been carnage.
0:37:43 > 0:37:47It could have been a very, very different story, that. Yeah.
0:37:47 > 0:37:49Somebody was looking over them all.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55And watching over a different stretch of the road at Gateshead
0:37:55 > 0:37:57is the Angel of the North.
0:37:57 > 0:38:01But as well as her, in the nearby Newcastle control centre,
0:38:01 > 0:38:05there are around 70 CCTV cameras monitoring the road.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10And Ian Lee has spotted that some old friends are back.
0:38:11 > 0:38:17Can you just head A1 southbound between Lobley Hill and Coal House?
0:38:17 > 0:38:19Just if you're in that area,
0:38:19 > 0:38:21we've got a couple of swans on the network.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27Incident manager Craig Heyward is on his way to head them off.
0:38:29 > 0:38:30But Craig is in two minds
0:38:30 > 0:38:33about whether he is actually the best man for the job.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35I wouldn't like to touch one.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39I know they've got quite a nasty bite on them.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44Thankfully for Craig, the swans have made it off the carriageway
0:38:44 > 0:38:46and vehicles are still moving.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49But traffic officer Richard Pihotsky is still in a bit of a flap
0:38:49 > 0:38:53about how close the birds are to the road.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55Where are they going?
0:38:55 > 0:38:57Where are they going off to?
0:38:57 > 0:39:00- Where are they going? Yeah...- I'll have a word with them.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04This is quite unusual.
0:39:04 > 0:39:07We get quite a lot of dogs, horses, sheep on the network.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09Swans are fairly rare,
0:39:09 > 0:39:13especially in the middle of an urban area like this.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15And they are so unpredictable,
0:39:15 > 0:39:18which is why we just can't grab hold of them
0:39:18 > 0:39:20and throw them in the back of the car,
0:39:20 > 0:39:22it's just far too dangerous.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25And far too risky, in case they do fly out on the motorway.
0:39:26 > 0:39:30With rush hour traffic now building, Richard has hatched a plan.
0:39:30 > 0:39:33Do you think you could just run parallel to stop them going?
0:39:33 > 0:39:36- Yeah, yeah.- If there's a problem, we can stop the slip straightaway.
0:39:36 > 0:39:38Yeah, keep them confined to the verge.
0:39:40 > 0:39:44So as not to spook them, Richard and Craig use a pincer movement
0:39:44 > 0:39:46to guide the birds down the bank and away from the A1.
0:39:56 > 0:39:58So far, so good,
0:39:58 > 0:40:02but Craig's worry is that these young birds are repeat offenders.
0:40:02 > 0:40:05It's going to just keep happening again and again.
0:40:05 > 0:40:06If the swans get back on the road,
0:40:06 > 0:40:08we'll have to keep shutting the lanes.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10The RSPCA has been called,
0:40:10 > 0:40:12but with no sign of the officers arriving soon,
0:40:12 > 0:40:14the team gets creative.
0:40:16 > 0:40:21They hope a spare bit of emergency fencing will ensure the dynamic duo
0:40:21 > 0:40:22don't turn tail again.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26All right, Sean? You're good at this.
0:40:26 > 0:40:33- You normally chase the birds and they run away from you. - That's me, mate.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35I think the swans are just... down here.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37I think they're probably quite tired,
0:40:37 > 0:40:38that's why they won't take off.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41They look as though they are settling down for the night now.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43Or maybe not, Craig.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45Just when his back is turned,
0:40:45 > 0:40:47one of the swans makes another bid for freedom.
0:40:49 > 0:40:51So, Craig has to conquer his fear
0:40:51 > 0:40:54and corral the swan back into its temporary pen.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04It was double-necked there.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08Its neck came in, came out and went back in.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14Dealing with the swans has had the traffic officers in a flap
0:41:14 > 0:41:16for over three hours.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20Eventually, the experts arrive to take over.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23RSPCA are now on scene. Over.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28Inspector Cathy Richardson makes short work
0:41:28 > 0:41:30of bagging up the first swan.
0:41:32 > 0:41:33And she has her own theory
0:41:33 > 0:41:36on how the pair have ended up by the motorway.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41They are still young, but they are big enough that they are probably OK
0:41:41 > 0:41:43to go off on their own now.
0:41:43 > 0:41:44So that may well be the trouble,
0:41:44 > 0:41:47because they are so young, they have taken off and left where they have came from,
0:41:47 > 0:41:49but not known where to go.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53But the second bird is not as cooperative.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55All right, it's all right.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01Hear it hissing.
0:42:03 > 0:42:04So the swans are safe,
0:42:04 > 0:42:08and catching them has helped Craig work up an appetite.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11We are going to head off and get some tea.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16It's a happy ending. Two uninjured swans, for once.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18They've been lucky.
0:42:25 > 0:42:29Later, the swans were released at a local park, where, hopefully,
0:42:29 > 0:42:33they will stick to rivers rather than roads.
0:42:33 > 0:42:38Alan's drug seizure eventually led to police finding a further 26 kilos
0:42:38 > 0:42:42of illegal drugs with a street value of more than a third of a million pounds
0:42:42 > 0:42:45and also led to the closure of a cannabis farm.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49And Paul finally shifted his champion cows...
0:42:49 > 0:42:50Good lad.
0:42:50 > 0:42:54..and got them back up the A1 to their Yorkshire home.
0:42:54 > 0:42:58Next time, a pile-up on the carriageway...
0:42:58 > 0:43:01Lanes one and two are blocked, so effectively the A1 North is shut.
0:43:01 > 0:43:03..puts lives at risk.
0:43:03 > 0:43:05Substantially damaged flatbed truck in lane two.
0:43:05 > 0:43:07Highway overload...
0:43:07 > 0:43:09This is very dangerous.
0:43:09 > 0:43:10That could have burst at any time.
0:43:10 > 0:43:13..as officers clamp down on illegal vehicles.
0:43:13 > 0:43:17As it stands, we cannot permit this vehicle to proceed on its journey.
0:43:17 > 0:43:21And fires on the Tyne push police officers to the limit.
0:43:21 > 0:43:24There is a lot of explosives within a car.
0:43:24 > 0:43:25Really, really dangerous.