0:00:02 > 0:00:04The A1 - Britain's longest road...
0:00:05 > 0:00:10..stretching almost 400 miles from the City of London to the heart
0:00:10 > 0:00:12of the Scottish capital.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17Connecting two nations and passing through 18 counties,
0:00:17 > 0:00:21it's an unrivalled highway used by hundreds of thousands of vehicles
0:00:21 > 0:00:22every day.
0:00:22 > 0:00:26We're going southbound down the A1, on the northbound carriageway.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29But not all journeys go to plan.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35I thought, "Am I going to lose my life?"
0:00:35 > 0:00:39The cars are coming close, it is a 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 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 > 0:00:53..there's a team of people who keep us safe from harm.
0:00:55 > 0:00:56The police...
0:00:58 > 0:00:59..response teams...
0:00:59 > 0:01:02We don't know whether they've got the road closed, or what's happened.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04..and traffic officers...
0:01:06 > 0:01:07Keep going.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10..keeping Britain's most iconic road...
0:01:10 > 0:01:12Get out!
0:01:12 > 0:01:14..on the move.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Substantially damaged flatbed truck in lane two.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21The A1, the monster that it is, it will start to return to normal.
0:01:25 > 0:01:30Today, a serious smash on a busy A1 junction...
0:01:30 > 0:01:32Paramedics are indicating a possible serious head injury,
0:01:32 > 0:01:36we are going to have to drag this vehicle clear of the barrier.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39..leaves the driver's life hanging in the balance.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41Ready to move when you want.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44Will treacherous weather hamper an emergency road repair?
0:01:44 > 0:01:47As you can see, the mist is coming in quite quickly.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50We could have low fog on the carriageway.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53And the perils of transporting a priceless piece of art.
0:01:55 > 0:01:56It's not working.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06There are over 45 million drivers licensed to travel on the UK's
0:02:06 > 0:02:12road network. And, despite improvements in car safety,
0:02:12 > 0:02:17there are still over 180,000 people injured in accidents every year.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22And the A1 sees more than its fair share, with over 2,000 annually.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28It's rush hour on a Friday afternoon north of Newcastle...
0:02:30 > 0:02:33..and A1 patrol officer PC Alan Keenleyside
0:02:33 > 0:02:36is responding to the latest emergency.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38There was a two vehicle accident on the A1.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42It's actually junction 80, as we go off the A1 on the roundabout,
0:02:42 > 0:02:44and people have requested an ambulance.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47It means there could be serious injuries.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51We're starting to get to our collisions now, 4.10pm in the afternoon.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54We just hope that this one here is not going to prove too problematic
0:02:54 > 0:02:56when we get to it.
0:02:56 > 0:03:01The reports are that the collision we are attending is just up on this bridge here.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05Can we see any collisions? Can we see any collisions?
0:03:05 > 0:03:07There they are.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09Alan's one of the first on the scene.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12HE TALKS ON RADIO
0:03:12 > 0:03:16A car has ploughed into the central reservation
0:03:16 > 0:03:18and the driver is still in her seat.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20Hi there, you all right?
0:03:20 > 0:03:24An emergency care assistant who was passing the scene has pulled over
0:03:24 > 0:03:26- to help.- I'm just in training at the minute.- OK.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30Non-responsive, I think she's gone into shock. She has a pain down the right-hand side.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33- OK.- I told the Ambulance Service...
0:03:33 > 0:03:35The ambulance can't get here soon enough.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38There is a crew just coming on the right there, might be us.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42But it's battling to make its way through rush-hour traffic.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45There's an emergency care assistant from the Ambulance Service,
0:03:45 > 0:03:47she's saying the lady is unresponsive.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49Certainly appears to be breathing
0:03:49 > 0:03:51but the crew is arriving on scene now.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01Hello, you all right? The driver of the Renault here,
0:04:01 > 0:04:04there's an emergency care assistant on the scene.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07She appears to have gone into shock, passed out.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09If the driver is seriously injured,
0:04:09 > 0:04:11she'll need urgent medical attention.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13Open your eyes, sweetheart.
0:04:13 > 0:04:15And the first signs aren't good.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18OK, you're in safe hands.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23I can get the fire brigade coming.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25And there's another serious problem.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29The driver's side door is wedged up against the central reservation.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33It means the ambulance crew are struggling to gain access to the car.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35Can you talk to us yet?
0:04:35 > 0:04:37Without medical attention,
0:04:37 > 0:04:41the driver's condition could deteriorate rapidly.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43We're thinking the lady's got a potentially serious head injury.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47We're now going to actually use our police vehicles to pull the vehicle
0:04:47 > 0:04:50around, that will give access to the paramedics to get a quick extraction
0:04:50 > 0:04:52out of the vehicle.
0:04:52 > 0:04:57Rescuing the driver from her car quickly and safely is a job that is
0:04:57 > 0:05:00going to push Alan and the rest of the team to the limit.
0:05:04 > 0:05:09Like every part of Britain's 250,000 mile-long road network,
0:05:09 > 0:05:11the A1 takes a lot of maintenance...
0:05:13 > 0:05:17..and it contributes to the 2.2 million potholes which are filled in
0:05:17 > 0:05:20on roads across England and Wales each year.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24That's one every 15 seconds.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27On Britain's longest road,
0:05:27 > 0:05:29they're a constant headache for maintenance crews.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34With traffic passing close by, it can be a difficult job.
0:05:34 > 0:05:39And for road users, it can lead to delays while repairs are made.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43So when some large potholes need filling on a busy stretch of the A1
0:05:43 > 0:05:47near Stevenage, it's time to call in reinforcements.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49Received...
0:05:49 > 0:05:53Traffic patrol officers Steve Francis and Rob Taylor get the call
0:05:53 > 0:05:57to set up a rolling road block to hold back traffic while workers fill
0:05:57 > 0:05:58in the potholes.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02They've got one pothole on the slip road at junction seven,
0:06:02 > 0:06:05and they've got another secondary one on the main carriageway,
0:06:05 > 0:06:10so what we're going to try and do is to do both in one rolling road block.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13They both know how dangerous holes in the carriageway can be.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16The main concern is the motorbikes, obviously,
0:06:16 > 0:06:20cos it only takes one wheel for the rider to come off
0:06:20 > 0:06:23and injure themselves, and it can even cause a fatal accident.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25So it is quite a dangerous concern.
0:06:26 > 0:06:31In these conditions, the cold gets under the damaged tarmac,
0:06:31 > 0:06:34so you might have a little crack or a one-inch hole initially,
0:06:34 > 0:06:38and within a couple of hours you could have a 12-inch by four-inch hole
0:06:38 > 0:06:41and they are the ones that cause the most damage.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45With motorists travelling at up to 70mph,
0:06:45 > 0:06:49it's vital these latest potholes are filled in to prevent any accidents.
0:06:49 > 0:06:54But to do that, Rob and Steve will have to close the road.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56We've just come through the Hatfield Tunnel,
0:06:56 > 0:07:00I've asked signs and signals to be set, ready for the rolling roadblocks.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03But the traffic officers will have to deal with a big problem.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06As you can see ahead, the mist is coming in quite quickly.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10If it starts rolling in any more than it is at the moment,
0:07:10 > 0:07:14we could have low fog on the carriageway.
0:07:14 > 0:07:15I am doing a small weave,
0:07:15 > 0:07:19for the cars behind to realise something is happening.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22And if you'll see that they're actually slowing down.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24So we are going to bring the traffic to a stop here.
0:07:24 > 0:07:29Steve explains the situation to stationary motorists, held up behind.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32We have two potholes ahead, one on the slip road,
0:07:32 > 0:07:34one on the main carriageway, pretty bad ones.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36We're repairing them at the moment.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40With traffic building quickly, there's pressure to get the job done,
0:07:40 > 0:07:43but now it's bigger than they first thought.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45They found a second pothole on there,
0:07:45 > 0:07:48so they've just done two instead of one.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50And they've got a third one to do now.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54With two potholes quickly filled,
0:07:54 > 0:07:57Rob and Steve slowly pull the traffic forward
0:07:57 > 0:07:58to the next repair site.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04But a motorcyclist has broken away too soon.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06The guy on the motorbike, I told him,
0:08:06 > 0:08:10go up the slip when I take him up the slip, but as you can see...
0:08:10 > 0:08:12And the funny thing about that is,
0:08:12 > 0:08:15you often find it is motorbikes that do that.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18They're the ones we're protecting because of the holes,
0:08:18 > 0:08:20you can see the repair.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23If he went up there at speed, he would have come off the bike.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28Drivers in the backed-up traffic are getting impatient,
0:08:28 > 0:08:31but just nine minutes after the traffic was halted...
0:08:31 > 0:08:35People are in a hurry but I think for the sake of a couple of minutes,
0:08:35 > 0:08:38it'll save the tyres and save the cars,
0:08:38 > 0:08:40save the motorbikes.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43..the third and final pothole is filled.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47- OK, you happy?- That's it, lads.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50Time to get the traffic moving again.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55Got to build the speed up.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57I tend to liken it to a motor race,
0:08:57 > 0:09:00where you might get a collision on a motor race,
0:09:00 > 0:09:03and then the safety car will come out.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06The way to see it would be a bit like that.
0:09:06 > 0:09:11I'd say three to four minutes per pothole, which is very good.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14I would've thought that's quite a minor inconvenience considering
0:09:14 > 0:09:16what could have occurred if we had not filled it.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24Used by hundreds of thousands of motorists every day
0:09:24 > 0:09:27and on the doorstep of millions, the A1 connects us all
0:09:27 > 0:09:31to some of the UK's most iconic landmarks and attractions.
0:09:32 > 0:09:33From London to Scotland,
0:09:33 > 0:09:37national treasures up and down its route rely on the road
0:09:37 > 0:09:39to bring tourists to their doors.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43One such place is the beautiful Bowes Museum in County Durham.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51This truly spectacular building houses a nationally-renowned
0:09:51 > 0:09:53art collection.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57But amongst its hundreds of pieces,
0:09:57 > 0:09:59there is one major jewel in its crown.
0:10:05 > 0:10:06This is the Silver Swan.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10I think you could safely say it is one of the major draws of the museum.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14Because this swan is like no other -
0:10:14 > 0:10:17a mechanical masterpiece nearly 250 years old.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25The technology that was used to make it is absolutely phenomenal.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27The other thing that's really special to us is,
0:10:27 > 0:10:31it's never left the Bowes since it came in the late 19th century.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34Until now. Because, for the very first time,
0:10:34 > 0:10:37the Swan is leaving the Bowes Museum
0:10:37 > 0:10:41and heading off on a 250-mile journey down the A1.
0:10:41 > 0:10:45This extraordinary piece is being loaned to the Science Museum in
0:10:45 > 0:10:48London for its Robots exhibition.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51So that was one of its final performances before its move.
0:10:52 > 0:10:57So now we just have to begin the long process of dismantling it
0:10:57 > 0:11:00and packing it up ready to go to London.
0:11:00 > 0:11:05But with 700 moving parts, it's an extremely delicate task...
0:11:07 > 0:11:11..which will take conservators Matthew Reed and Karen Barker
0:11:11 > 0:11:13four days to complete.
0:11:14 > 0:11:22So the Silver Swan swims on a lake of 140 rotating hollow glass rods.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25You can't have one part of it that is malfunctioning,
0:11:25 > 0:11:28otherwise the whole thing stops.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30It is a very early robot.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33It acts like a swan and behaves like a swan.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36So the neck comes away from the head.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40There are 113 interlocking neck rings here
0:11:40 > 0:11:42and these are hardened and chased silver,
0:11:42 > 0:11:44so they are incredibly fragile.
0:11:46 > 0:11:50They have sore of a mechanical but also organic nature,
0:11:50 > 0:11:53and we don't want to get them mixed up either.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57And Karen is concerned about the impact the journey down the A1
0:11:57 > 0:12:00might have on this irreplaceable swan.
0:12:00 > 0:12:05Although the van is cushioned and it will be a very smooth ride,
0:12:05 > 0:12:09compared to most trucks that go up and down the A1,
0:12:09 > 0:12:13there is still going to be some vibration.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15Hopefully it will work out right at the other end.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22It's incredibly important that everything is packaged properly
0:12:22 > 0:12:24in terms of transportation.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28That goes in there.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32After the painstaking packing process is complete,
0:12:32 > 0:12:36it's time for the specialist moving team to load up the truck.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38- Any side?- Any side will be fine.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41I'm feeling all right at the moment, hopefully nothing will go wrong.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44In theory, it should all go perfectly well.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49The bit that sticks out on the door,
0:12:49 > 0:12:53we're not sure whether it's been taken into account for the case to go out.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56That there.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59If ever an exhibit needed its protective case,
0:12:59 > 0:13:01it's this fragile old bird.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06Coming up to this carpet now.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08Ready?
0:13:08 > 0:13:11Haven't heard any cracks, nothing sounds like it's broken.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24The delicate glass case is intact and loaded.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28So it's time to head off down the A1.
0:13:34 > 0:13:39With such valuable cargo on board the truck, Karen's on edge.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41There should be no movement of the box,
0:13:41 > 0:13:43but obviously if we have to do an emergency stop,
0:13:43 > 0:13:47that could have an impact on the boxes in the back.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49That's my biggest fear.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53But it's only when they actually get to the museum that the pressure
0:13:53 > 0:13:54will really start to build,
0:13:54 > 0:13:58and the team will discover whether the Silver Swan actually works.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07More than 50 miles north, near Newcastle,
0:14:07 > 0:14:11A1 patrol officer PC Alan Keenleyside has been at the scene
0:14:11 > 0:14:16of a serious collision between two cars on a busy roundabout.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19- Hi, there, you all right?- It's believed one of the drivers may be
0:14:19 > 0:14:21in a critical condition.
0:14:21 > 0:14:26Got a lady who's unresponsive in the driver's seat of this vehicle.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29Certainly appears to be breathing, but the crew is arriving on scene now.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35Her car has been wedged up against the central reservation,
0:14:35 > 0:14:38making it impossible for the ambulance crew to get to her.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40Open your eyes, sweetheart.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44The driver needs urgent treatment.
0:14:44 > 0:14:45I'll start jacking the car up.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49Alan must now move the car, so the team can get inside the vehicle.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51We're not hanging around,
0:14:51 > 0:14:56we're now using our police vehicles to pull the vehicle around while
0:14:56 > 0:14:57trying to support the lady as well.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01That will give access to the paramedics to get a quick extraction out of the vehicle.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03So time is a little bit of the essence now.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07Thankfully, Highways England traffic officers are also arriving at the
0:15:07 > 0:15:10scene to help manage the rush-hour congestion.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13Hello, you all right? Got a lady with a potentially serious head injury.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15Could you just take this lane out for two minutes?
0:15:15 > 0:15:18- Mint, thanks. - Alan has to work quickly.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23The driver has blown a pupil,
0:15:23 > 0:15:25a sign of a potentially serious head injury.
0:15:30 > 0:15:35Paramedics at Seaton Burn are indicating a possible serious head injury.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39We're going to have to drag this vehicle clear of the Armco barrier
0:15:39 > 0:15:40to get this lady out of the vehicle.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42Could you just make 27-92 aware?
0:15:50 > 0:15:52Ready to move when you want.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55Alan needs to be extremely careful.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57They're going to have to support her neck when we do this.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03Any sudden movement could make the driver's injuries even worse.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19Even though the traffic has only been stopped a few seconds,
0:16:19 > 0:16:22it's already caused a serious build-up of vehicles.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24Thanks, Paul.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29Finally though, the medics can get to the injured driver.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34But they now believe her injuries are potentially so serious...
0:16:34 > 0:16:35Just relax.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39..they need to bring her out of the back of the car on a spinal board.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43- Keep going. - Just relax, that's fabulous.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45- Keep going.- You're doing marvellous.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47Can you talk to us yet?
0:16:49 > 0:16:53A spinal board is used to reduce the movement of an injured person.
0:16:53 > 0:16:58It's essential in preventing critical injuries from getting worse.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01Which way do you want to do this?
0:17:01 > 0:17:05Try and get under her arm and then it will be a case of one, two three...
0:17:05 > 0:17:06- Pull.- Little bits.- Yeah.
0:17:06 > 0:17:11And get her right on the board. If you can get her feet first, I can do the first push-up.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13Yeah.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16- Hold her.- Ready, steady, slide.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19- All right?- Everybody OK?- Yeah.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22Ready, steady, slide.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25A tiny bit more.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27Ready, steady, slide.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29This is an extremely delicate job.
0:17:29 > 0:17:34One wrong move could have very serious consequences.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36OK, you're in safe hands.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39But the medics will only know the full extent of the driver's injuries
0:17:39 > 0:17:42once she's been rescued from the vehicle.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48More than 300 miles south of Newcastle,
0:17:48 > 0:17:52a priceless antique is nearing the end of its A1 journey.
0:17:52 > 0:17:57The Bowes Museum's Silver Swan is heading across the capital to its
0:17:57 > 0:17:58temporary new home.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01Are we nearly there yet, Rick?
0:18:01 > 0:18:05I'd like to say yes, but unfortunately London traffic
0:18:05 > 0:18:07- has beat us again.- Yes.
0:18:07 > 0:18:11The swan is due to take centre stage at the Science Museum's
0:18:11 > 0:18:13Robots exhibition.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17Hopefully, we've done our job well and everything will be in perfect condition.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20If we put her back together
0:18:20 > 0:18:23and she doesn't work,
0:18:23 > 0:18:25then we've put her back together wrong.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30This is the entrance to the Science Museum.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34So I think we're here, we've arrived safe and sound.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45It's the next morning and Kate Perks at the Science Museum
0:18:45 > 0:18:48is excited that the star of her 21st-century show
0:18:48 > 0:18:50is an 18th-century masterpiece.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54The exhibition as a whole is all about robots.
0:18:57 > 0:19:02Showing you from 500 years, a sort of cycle
0:19:02 > 0:19:04of us trying to recreate ourselves.
0:19:06 > 0:19:11We are so excited that we've got the swan to come down to London
0:19:11 > 0:19:14and be in this exhibition. We just cannot believe our good fortune.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19In the exhibition preparation area...
0:19:21 > 0:19:27..conservators Matthew, Karen and Kate carefully unpack the swan.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29We're going to put her on a case, put her silver on,
0:19:29 > 0:19:33and then we're going to give her a run and make sure that
0:19:33 > 0:19:36- she's working properly. - Are you all right?
0:19:39 > 0:19:43So this is the first of 113 neck rings,
0:19:43 > 0:19:46and it is unbelievably fragile.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49It's just 0.4mm thick silver.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51So we'll put that one on.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57Rebuilding the swan is a painstaking process.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59It will take as long as it takes.
0:19:59 > 0:20:04If you start rushing it, then that's when damage happens.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07I'm not quite sure how many are there - maybe nine done.
0:20:07 > 0:20:08102 to go.
0:20:15 > 0:20:16It's not quite hitting the hole.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20With the head finally in place...
0:20:21 > 0:20:23- Voila.- Well done, Matthew.
0:20:24 > 0:20:25..the team hold their breath...
0:20:28 > 0:20:30..as the swan is wound up for the first time.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38The observant amongst you will see that it's not working.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43There's so many different things that can go wrong on so many different parts.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45She's old and a bit cranky.
0:20:46 > 0:20:52Matthew thinks the problem might lie with the 140 moving rods that mimic
0:20:52 > 0:20:54the effect of the stream.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56Every single one of these rods has got to be loose...
0:20:58 > 0:21:00..because they're all interconnected.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02If one stops, they all stop.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04What we could do, ideally,
0:21:04 > 0:21:08is I'd take it all apart and work through right from the beginning,
0:21:08 > 0:21:13but as we don't have another three years to do that,
0:21:13 > 0:21:16it's probably best to at least try and figure out which one it is.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20The Science Museum wants the swan in place in the exhibition by the end
0:21:20 > 0:21:23- of the day.- The swan needs to be in position tonight.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27We've got two working days before it opens.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29We've still got to get the whole thing in the gallery.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31We haven't dealt with the swan with the silver on yet.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36But eagle-eyed Matthew may have found the root of the problem.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38I think it might be this one, actually.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42On this little gear thing here, three of the teeth are bent over.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46After removing the faulty rod,
0:21:46 > 0:21:48the stream is finally running smoothly again.
0:21:48 > 0:21:53- Magic.- We're at five o'clock in the evening.
0:21:53 > 0:21:54We need to get finished.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58Time to wind the swan up for a second time.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01Oh.
0:22:01 > 0:22:02Oh, my goodness.
0:22:04 > 0:22:05It did move,
0:22:05 > 0:22:07but just briefly.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10But now there's an even bigger problem.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13- It's not happy.- Yeah, it's just going to jam now, isn't it?
0:22:17 > 0:22:18It's not working.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27Problems of a much more serious nature are mounting for the
0:22:27 > 0:22:30emergency services on a busy A1 junction near Newcastle.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34Police patrol officer PC Alan Keenleyside
0:22:34 > 0:22:39is helping paramedics to remove an injured motorist from her crashed car.
0:22:39 > 0:22:40- OK.- Ready, steady...
0:22:40 > 0:22:41slide.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45The driver may have a serious head injury,
0:22:45 > 0:22:50and any sudden movement could have devastating consequences.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52A little bit more. Ready, steady, slide.
0:22:55 > 0:22:56Inch by inch...
0:22:56 > 0:22:59- Keep going.- One, two, three.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03..the injured driver is rescued from the wreckage.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06Shall I sit on the back of the car?
0:23:07 > 0:23:09OK. Thank you for your help with this.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11She's rushed to the ambulance,
0:23:11 > 0:23:14where she can receive urgent medical attention.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16Traffic's stopped.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25For Alan and the police team,
0:23:25 > 0:23:28it's time to investigate the cause of the collision.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32We think vehicle one has maybe come out from here with a view to going
0:23:32 > 0:23:36straight over, so it's been a typical lane to roundabout type collision.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40- Yeah.- However, this vehicle's come to rest post-impact
0:23:40 > 0:23:43up against the Armco barrier with the driver's door.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46With the scene here, what we'll do is we'll mark and photograph the
0:23:46 > 0:23:50post-impact position of the vehicles, get them recovered,
0:23:50 > 0:23:53and then conduct our investigation from there.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56Alan's seen something which could provide crucial evidence.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58I've just pointed out, actually, up there we've got a camera.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02It's one of the Highways England cameras, which cover the A19.
0:24:02 > 0:24:07So that could be really, really key in our, erm, in our investigation.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11The CCTV camera captured how the car careered into the barrier,
0:24:11 > 0:24:13just moments after the crash.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17As the investigation continues...
0:24:17 > 0:24:20OK, we've got an exit into lane two of the A19.
0:24:20 > 0:24:24..there is still only one lane open on the roundabout.
0:24:24 > 0:24:29It means the rush-hour traffic is backing up in all directions.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32This is a junction of the A1 and the A19, two major routes,
0:24:32 > 0:24:36and the effect that it has on the A1, it will slow vehicles coming,
0:24:36 > 0:24:37like, exiting the A1.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41It'll form tailbacks along those exit slip roads.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43Clearly there's a lot of emergency services here.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47Unfortunately we can't really help that. It's the nature of what we're dealing with.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49And as the darkness falls...
0:24:49 > 0:24:53Paramedics have been treating the lady in the ambulance for some time now,
0:24:53 > 0:24:57which tends to suggest they have a significant amount of work to do
0:24:57 > 0:24:59to stabilise her.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02As the ambulance takes the injured driver to hospital,
0:25:02 > 0:25:06there is no doubt the trainee care assistant has played a crucial part
0:25:06 > 0:25:08in rescuing her safely.
0:25:08 > 0:25:13Well, I just was driving past, and I seen loads of people out of the car, so I thought they were all right
0:25:13 > 0:25:16until then I seen the lady in the driver's seat of this car.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19She looked unconscious, so I thought I'd pull over and get out and help.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22I was literally on my way to my parents' log cabin for the weekend,
0:25:22 > 0:25:25with a hot tub. So that's where I'm heading now.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27- And a bottle of fizz?- Yeah.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29Definitely a bottle of fizz.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35Nearly two hours after the initial incident,
0:25:35 > 0:25:38the recovery vehicle can finally take away the wreckage...
0:25:43 > 0:25:46..and Alan can start fully reopening the road to traffic.
0:25:52 > 0:25:53All right.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58I'm a little bit concerned about this lady, if the truth be known.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01It's being treated as life-threatening at this moment in time,
0:26:01 > 0:26:05hence the roads being closed for a couple of hours to facilitating
0:26:05 > 0:26:07her care, which takes precedence over everything.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12I know it's horrible, because people are hurting and people are in pain,
0:26:12 > 0:26:15but we can't get emotionally attached to what those people are
0:26:15 > 0:26:17going through, so, yeah,
0:26:17 > 0:26:21it's a bit of a sobering moment, knowing that somebody's potentially
0:26:21 > 0:26:23very, very seriously injured indeed.
0:26:26 > 0:26:30But it's not only accidents when rescue teams come to the help
0:26:30 > 0:26:32of stranded motorists on the A1.
0:26:32 > 0:26:37Every year, teams from Highways England and Transport Scotland
0:26:37 > 0:26:40deal with more than 4,500 breakdowns.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45Just six miles south down the A1 near Newcastle,
0:26:45 > 0:26:48traffic officers Peter Senior and Scott Wilson are responding
0:26:48 > 0:26:50to an emergency call.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53Apparently, up at junction 77,
0:26:53 > 0:26:55they've got a vehicle broken down in a running lane,
0:26:55 > 0:26:59and they want us to go and offer some form of protection
0:26:59 > 0:27:00while they recover it.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05It means their planned meal break will just have to wait.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09We just went to order a nice takeaway, and then, right on cue,
0:27:09 > 0:27:11- a job comes in, but... - Every time, isn't it?
0:27:11 > 0:27:14It does. It happens every time. It's unbelievable.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16You can have a shift where you do nothing...
0:27:16 > 0:27:18As soon as you go and order hot food,
0:27:18 > 0:27:20you can guarantee a job will come in.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22But if ever you've got a shift
0:27:22 > 0:27:24and you get a bit bored if there's nothing to do,
0:27:24 > 0:27:26that's all you've got to do to get some work going - order some food.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35When Peter and Scott arrive at the scene,
0:27:35 > 0:27:38it's clear the van is parked in a dangerous position...
0:27:39 > 0:27:41Hotel Alpha Charlie Lima.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43..just metres from the main carriageway.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47It's a van with a small trailer on the back.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50We're just approaching that now, so we'll advise shortly, over.
0:27:51 > 0:27:52Right.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56What's the matter with it?
0:28:05 > 0:28:09This section of the A1 is so busy that Highways England offer free
0:28:09 > 0:28:14recovery, so vehicles can be moved off the carriageway as quickly as possible.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18I was just driving along the A1, and the gearbox went.
0:28:18 > 0:28:22Just lost all drive, so I just pulled in to the side of the road.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27But a breakdown truck needs to get here quickly.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29See if we do it under the free recovery,
0:28:29 > 0:28:33if they've got a wagon just about here, we'll let them move it.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36Peter has an idea to speed things up.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39I'm just wondering - if we can get a hitch on the front,
0:28:39 > 0:28:41if you stay behind to protect us,
0:28:41 > 0:28:43we could drag it off at the next junction.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47Has the gearbox locked up, or is it freewheeling?
0:28:47 > 0:28:49- No, it's free, it's... - Well, rather than getting recovered,
0:28:49 > 0:28:52because when recovery comes, we'd basically have to close
0:28:52 > 0:28:54the whole lane off to get you recovered...
0:28:54 > 0:28:57- Right.- ..maybe we could just drag you off at the next junction,
0:28:57 > 0:29:00and position you somewhere there, which would be better for recovery.
0:29:00 > 0:29:04- Yeah, I'll follow behind so there's no worry for when you're going into traffic.- Yeah, if you sit behind us.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07- Yeah, yeah. Do you want to do that? - Yeah, that's fine.- Excellent.
0:29:07 > 0:29:11With other vehicles passing the broken-down truck at 70mph,
0:29:11 > 0:29:14a collision could be fatal.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17We'll get off at the Washington Services quicker than getting on the radio, so...
0:29:17 > 0:29:22- So where are we going to go to, mate, cos I don't know where... - Off at the next junction.
0:29:22 > 0:29:24The recovery's due in half an hour,
0:29:24 > 0:29:27so we're just going to tow it off network.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30The police are going to sit behind us and escort us, some protection,
0:29:30 > 0:29:32and we'll just tow it off ourselves.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35Its gearbox has failed.
0:29:35 > 0:29:36It is still freewheeling, though,
0:29:36 > 0:29:40which enables us to be able to clear it from the carriageway,
0:29:40 > 0:29:42and then they can just await their own recovery.
0:29:45 > 0:29:48Right, we'll get it hitched up.
0:29:48 > 0:29:52Every year, nearly 250 people are killed or injured on the hard shoulder,
0:29:52 > 0:29:57so it's important Peter and Scott move the vehicle as soon as possible.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59Right, take the bite up, Scott.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04Starting to take it off the floor. Go on.
0:30:06 > 0:30:08Whoa.
0:30:08 > 0:30:09Are you all right?
0:30:11 > 0:30:13With a police escort behind...
0:30:13 > 0:30:18- Yeah.- ..Scott carefully pulls the van to an emergency recovery area
0:30:18 > 0:30:20away from the main carriageway.
0:30:21 > 0:30:26Keep it as far back as you can, for his recovery to get in.
0:30:26 > 0:30:27What is it? A bit soft?
0:30:28 > 0:30:31- RADIO:- Charlie 81 following.
0:30:35 > 0:30:384-1, we've carriageway-cleared this vehicle into an ERA.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44The area you can see, where the little bollards are pulled in,
0:30:44 > 0:30:47it's known as an emergency recovery area,
0:30:47 > 0:30:50where the ground's reinforced on the verge,
0:30:50 > 0:30:52so that's going to be safe to leave here,
0:30:52 > 0:30:54and they can get their onward recovery from here.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00- Good job, that.- Yeah.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03Less than 20 minutes after arriving at the scene,
0:31:03 > 0:31:05Peter and Scott are back on the road.
0:31:05 > 0:31:10Anything which is in a running lane, there is always that element of risk.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13So by moving that vehicle as we did into that emergency lay-by,
0:31:13 > 0:31:16you know, you've eliminated that risk.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19And the lads have built up quite an appetite.
0:31:19 > 0:31:20If someone needs us, then we'll go...
0:31:20 > 0:31:25I know, but their needs can't be as great as the needs of us getting fed.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28Have you seen the time, man? It's after seven o'clock.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31We did ask them to keep it hot for us, so hopefully they have.
0:31:36 > 0:31:37In a recent survey,
0:31:37 > 0:31:41nearly half of all drivers admitted to flouting traffic laws...
0:31:43 > 0:31:46..either through inattention or simply because they think they can
0:31:46 > 0:31:49get away with it. So it's not surprising that,
0:31:49 > 0:31:52for the 15 forces that police the A1,
0:31:52 > 0:31:55there is no such thing as a quiet shift.
0:31:56 > 0:32:01Near Morpeth in Northumberland, PC Darren Lant is on patrol,
0:32:01 > 0:32:04when a passing Citroen Saxo catches his attention.
0:32:05 > 0:32:09Vehicle check, please. A1 southbound at Hebron.
0:32:11 > 0:32:17- RADIO:- It's come back as a red Citroen Saxo. No reports present.
0:32:17 > 0:32:21While Darren is running some checks, the car disappears from view.
0:32:21 > 0:32:23Interesting. It looks like it's took off.
0:32:23 > 0:32:25Yeah, it's gone.
0:32:25 > 0:32:30Keen to catch up, Darren puts on his lights to move through the traffic.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33But he's going to have to put his foot down.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36Despite a 40mph speed limit because of roadworks,
0:32:36 > 0:32:39this driver isn't slowing down.
0:32:39 > 0:32:41At 70mph on a 40...
0:32:42 > 0:32:45He's doing nearly 70mph in a 40mph limit.
0:32:45 > 0:32:49That's through the roadworks, where you've got guys trying to do repairs
0:32:49 > 0:32:50and maintenance on the road.
0:32:52 > 0:32:55Clearly down to 40, and he's just blew them.
0:32:55 > 0:32:59He's gone straight through them, and he's stayed at 70mph through the 40.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03It's really dangerous, and it's reduced speed for a safety reason.
0:33:04 > 0:33:08You know, still, working on the side of the road at 40mph is still frightening.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11But when you've got vehicles that are blatantly ignoring the speed limit,
0:33:11 > 0:33:14they're just taking off down at 70mph, it's horrendous.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18And the driver seems oblivious to Darren behind.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20How has he not seen the patrol car behind him?
0:33:20 > 0:33:22Every time he moves out into a lane,
0:33:22 > 0:33:25you would think he would check his mirror.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28But he's clearly not, cos he would see us.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30This guy was - he was going to move out,
0:33:30 > 0:33:33but he's looked in his mirror and decided not to.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36Time for Darren to pull the motorist over.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40We'll get them stopped and see what they've got to say.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45- Hello, how are you doing?- All right. - Do you have your driving documents,
0:33:45 > 0:33:47licence, insurance, that sort of stuff?
0:33:47 > 0:33:48- Not on us, mate.- No bother.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51Grab your keys. Come and have a chat with me and I'll explain to you why I've stopped you.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56Take a seat in the back, on that side.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02- The reason why I've stopped you is cos you're speeding. - I'm speeding?- Aye, yeah.
0:34:02 > 0:34:04I thought it was a 70 on a dual carriageway.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06It is, yeah, ordinarily.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08But what about all them cones and all them speed-restriction signs
0:34:08 > 0:34:10that you saw when you passed the speed camera,
0:34:10 > 0:34:14when it takes you down from the national speed limit of 60
0:34:14 > 0:34:17on the single carriageway to 50 to 40?
0:34:17 > 0:34:18All right.
0:34:18 > 0:34:22And you just continued all the way through the 40s at about 70mph.
0:34:22 > 0:34:23Did I? Right.
0:34:23 > 0:34:27- I've followed you all the way through, even when you were changing lanes.- Aye.- Which tends to suggest
0:34:27 > 0:34:31- you weren't using your mirror, either, when you were changing lanes.- I did, I did use my mirror.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34- I was. I even turned my head... - Right?- ..to check that nowt was coming.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37So how did you not see the big, massive patrol car behind you?
0:34:37 > 0:34:40- Well, I did see you.- And you still drove at 70mph in a 40?
0:34:40 > 0:34:41I still... I seen you.
0:34:41 > 0:34:45OK. I've got to caution you. You don't have to say anything thing, but it may harm your defence if you
0:34:45 > 0:34:49don't mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court, and anything you do say
0:34:49 > 0:34:51- may be given in evidence. All right? - OK.- You're not under arrest.
0:34:51 > 0:34:55Because she was 30mph over the speed limit,
0:34:55 > 0:34:57Darren can't issue a ticket -
0:34:57 > 0:34:59the woman will have to go to court.
0:34:59 > 0:35:04- So I'm just going to do a couple of checks. Have you got a full licence? - Yeah.- You have, have you?
0:35:04 > 0:35:08And things are about to get worse for this speeding driver.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11- When I said, "Have you got a full licence," and you said, "Aye?"- Aye.
0:35:11 > 0:35:13- You're lying, aren't you?- No. - You've got a revoked licence.
0:35:13 > 0:35:17- I haven't got a revoked licence. - You have, man.- How have I got it revoked?
0:35:17 > 0:35:19- I'll tell you...- Cos the DVLA have said your licence is revoked.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21Aye, on medical reasons, right,
0:35:21 > 0:35:24and they've sent us a letter saying to send it back,
0:35:24 > 0:35:25which is exactly what I did,
0:35:25 > 0:35:28so technically I've got a licence when that's gone back to get, like,
0:35:28 > 0:35:31- to pay the fee to get it un-thingied.- Right. OK.- So I've got a licence.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35So have you got proof now, here, that the DVLA have said you can drive?
0:35:35 > 0:35:37Not on us.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41Well, the DVLA still say that you've got a revoked licence,
0:35:41 > 0:35:43- and I've got to go off what the computer says.- Right. Fair play.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46So your car is going to be seized from you today, under section 165,
0:35:46 > 0:35:49until such time as you can prove that you do have a licence...
0:35:49 > 0:35:51- Yeah.- ..and that you've got insurance for the vehicle.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54The woman's car will be towed away.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58Is there anyone that can come give us a hand
0:35:58 > 0:36:00with this 165 on the A1?
0:36:02 > 0:36:06So Darren arranges for another patrol car to collect the driver
0:36:06 > 0:36:09and her passenger to get them to their destination.
0:36:09 > 0:36:13The driver will have seven days to prove her licence was valid to get
0:36:13 > 0:36:17her car back, and she still faces court for the speeding offence.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20She's got a blatant disregard for any road users anyway, hasn't she?
0:36:20 > 0:36:22She's doing 70mph in a 40, through roadworks,
0:36:22 > 0:36:24where she's not paying any attention.
0:36:24 > 0:36:27She said she's looking in her mirror, and moving in and out,
0:36:27 > 0:36:29but the patrol car's following her.
0:36:29 > 0:36:30I'm behind her all the way.
0:36:30 > 0:36:32She's made no attempt to alter her driving.
0:36:32 > 0:36:36She's driving on a revoked licence, so a risk to you, to me,
0:36:36 > 0:36:38to every other road user.
0:36:38 > 0:36:42So, for now, it's the end of the road for this motorist.
0:36:42 > 0:36:46And more than 300 miles south, near the start of the A1 in London,
0:36:46 > 0:36:49it's also crunch time for a specialist team.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58It's two days before the Science Museum opens its doors
0:36:58 > 0:37:00for the start of its Robots exhibition.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09Oh, my goodness.
0:37:09 > 0:37:13But a long journey down the A1 has left one of its star attractions
0:37:13 > 0:37:15still struggling to work properly.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20There is something wrong with the counterpointing with the neck.
0:37:20 > 0:37:24There's so many different things that can go wrong on so many different parts.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30The next morning, conservator Matthew is still trying to fathom
0:37:30 > 0:37:32out why the swan's not working.
0:37:34 > 0:37:38The situation is good in the sense that we are finding faults.
0:37:38 > 0:37:42But last night we noticed the action of the neck was really kind of graunchy
0:37:42 > 0:37:44and it's normally very silky smooth.
0:37:45 > 0:37:50It's a frustrating time for Science Museum conservator Kate.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53It's a shame, really, because it was all going so well.
0:37:53 > 0:37:57But hopefully Matt knows what he's doing, so we will get there.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04After nearly three hours of painstaking adjustments...
0:38:09 > 0:38:14- Good.- ..it's time for Matthew and Kate to carefully replace the silver...
0:38:14 > 0:38:16It needs to hook round that bit at the front.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20- There we are.- There we are.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22..ready for a final test run.
0:38:22 > 0:38:24I think the most temperamental, needy,
0:38:24 > 0:38:27demanding object that we have in this exhibition is probably
0:38:27 > 0:38:29the Silver Swan.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32- This is when it stalls. - Please don't stall.
0:38:39 > 0:38:41- Hooray!- Ta-da.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44So it was only just getting there, wasn't it?
0:38:44 > 0:38:48The swan needs more work, but Matthew is running out of time.
0:38:48 > 0:38:54I think that these dozens of adjustments could go on and I think
0:38:54 > 0:38:59the Science Museum people, they'd like to see it on gallery.
0:38:59 > 0:39:01With this stuff, you have to draw a line under it.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04There is never going to be that perfect moment where everything is
0:39:04 > 0:39:07beautiful because it just doesn't kind of work like that.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12The fragile swan is moved into the exhibition,
0:39:12 > 0:39:15but the size of its display case means it has to go the long way
0:39:15 > 0:39:17around the museum...
0:39:17 > 0:39:20We are going to the gallery now, so no more misbehaving.
0:39:20 > 0:39:22..and across uneven floors.
0:39:24 > 0:39:28The floor in any building like this is uneven
0:39:28 > 0:39:32and this thing is not designed to move, full stop.
0:39:34 > 0:39:38So the glass was bouncing up and down a little bit,
0:39:38 > 0:39:41the bells were bouncing on their resilient mounts.
0:39:44 > 0:39:50I am so relieved we have got the swan in her position, so fingers crossed, she works.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52And it's looking great. Even if it doesn't work,
0:39:52 > 0:39:54it's looking fantastic, so what more can you ask?
0:39:56 > 0:40:00It's time to open the Robots exhibition to the general public.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04But will the temperamental Silver Swan perform
0:40:04 > 0:40:06for its expectant audience?
0:40:06 > 0:40:09Hello, everyone. My name's Kate.
0:40:09 > 0:40:14I have to warn you that yesterday it didn't work so...
0:40:14 > 0:40:1650-50 it's going to work.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18So wish me luck, and here we go.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20Are you ready?
0:40:26 > 0:40:28CHIMING
0:40:55 > 0:40:57That's so beautiful.
0:40:57 > 0:41:02The swan has worked perfectly and delighted the Science Museum crowds.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06An extraordinary piece of machinery. Absolutely extraordinary.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08- It was amazing.- It was good.
0:41:08 > 0:41:10We found out how old it is as well.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12To realise it's over 200 years old, it's amazing.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15It was kind of magical, really.
0:41:15 > 0:41:18It looked incredibly lifelike and it was really wonderful.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23You have no idea how relieved I am feeling right now.
0:41:23 > 0:41:27I've been dreading it sticking, cos I wouldn't know quite what to do,
0:41:27 > 0:41:29but it behaved beautifully.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33This has been such a long journey.
0:41:33 > 0:41:38The Bowes Swan started up in County Durham at Barnard Castle.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41It took a week to prepare it...
0:41:42 > 0:41:45..pack it all beautifully and carefully...
0:41:46 > 0:41:51..bring it down the A1 motorway to London, ready for this moment.
0:41:53 > 0:41:59It could not have gone better and I am so happy that it all went well.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03It was definitely the star act and it was just brilliant.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12The driver injured in the roundabout crash was treated in hospital
0:42:12 > 0:42:15for a week but has since made a good recovery.
0:42:16 > 0:42:20The motorist stopped near roadworks is being prosecuted for speeding
0:42:20 > 0:42:23and driving without a licence.
0:42:23 > 0:42:25And after its special appearance in London,
0:42:25 > 0:42:29the Silver Swan was safely transported back up the A1
0:42:29 > 0:42:31to its home in County Durham.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35Next time, the fight to cut a woman free from her car...
0:42:35 > 0:42:40- Don't panic, darling.- ..without causing her further injury.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42Keep your head as still as possible.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45A motorist accused of drink-driving...
0:42:45 > 0:42:47Have you had any alcohol in the last 20 minutes?
0:42:47 > 0:42:49..is left high and dry.
0:42:49 > 0:42:54There's a high probability that his alcohol level is going up.
0:42:54 > 0:42:58And monster machines on the march down the Great North Road.
0:42:58 > 0:43:00Travelling at 50 mile an hour,
0:43:00 > 0:43:03the wind will just get under them and blow them up.