Lovely Huddersfield village next to the M62 which is famous for traffic jams and noise is a ‘way of life’
The steady humming noise of rolling tyres and passing trucks is unmistakable in parts of Ainley Top.[1]
The culprit is, of course, the M62[2] which has a daily traffic flow of around 140,000 vehicles in West Yorkshire - and is prone to regular gridlock, caused by breakdowns, huge traffic volumes and crashes.
Living beside one of the country's busiest roads might not sound too appealing but the residents of Ainley Top don't seem to mind too much. In fact, some locals in Ainley Top, which is three miles north of Huddersfield, admit they find the M62 fascinating and even 'entertaining'.
When breakdowns do happen, drivers can sometimes be seen walking down the wooded motorway embankments, possibly looking for a garage or a petrol station.
Hazel Mallinson, who has lived beside the M62 for over two decades, says Ainley Top is a lovely place to live, with good neighbours and even better transport links.
Play area in Ainley Top with M62 in the distance (Image: Yorkshire Live)
Living next to the M62 is 'entertaining' as well as useful, says Hazel. As she spoke to YorkshireLive, the trucks and cars rumbled by, mostly screened by some mature trees on the embankment. She says the trees do a good job of screening the motorway.
She can peer out of her house window and see if there's congestion on the motorway before heading out. Over the years this has been very handy especially when she and her husband were keen caravanners.
Hazel can hear the hum of the motorway but says it doesn't bother her. When she's had enough, she simply removes her hearing aid.
"When I do my gardening I can hear it (the motorway). I can hear it with my hearing aid in.
"Believe it not, down here, it's lovely and quiet. We have some perfect neighbours who don't interfere but are there when you need them; they are brilliant.
"You've got a choice of buses to Huddersfield, Halifax. There's the little village bus that comes through from Huddersfield right up to Barkisland, West Vale into Halifax - it takes about an hour. And we are not stuck for transport, really."
Hazel has lived on her cul-de-sac for 25 years and loves it. Living near the M62 is a "way of life", she said.
"Sometimes people run out of petrol (on the M62). We direct them down Huddersfield to Greggs bakery and Tesco Express and the garage across from there. It happens now and again."
The Nag's Head Inn, Ainley Top (Image: Dave Himelfield)
She loves that there are two local pubs, the Nags Head and Toby Carvery, and a hotel, Cedar Court, on her doorstep. "We go to Toby's which is good value for money and is open all day long. And Cedar Court do meals."
Hazel says the M62 is always a good talking point when on holiday. When she tells people about Ainley Top, people are always fascinated to hear she lives in an actual village near the "world-famous Ainley Top".
Famous for traffic jams, she jokes.
At the Nags Head pub, there are great views of Calderdale and Huddersfield, depending on where you are standing or sitting.
One Nags Head local said: "It’s hard to beat The Nags Head[4] on a summer’s day. Its chocolate box exterior with its ivy-clad walls always delights the eye as the small but perfectly formed beer garden complete with well.
"Inside is a further delight with its low ceilings and large dining areas as well as a good selection of tip-top cask ales. The food is always excellent and the pub is very family-friendly."
The Nags Head is run by Tom Steen who says customers come from all across Huddersfield, Calderdale and beyond.
The pub can trace its history back a couple of centuries[5] - long before the arrival of the M62 and everything that came with it.
References
- ^ Ainley Top. (www.examinerlive.co.uk)
- ^ M62 (www.examinerlive.co.uk)
- ^ Tributes to 'great guy' Bradford taxi driver killed in horror A61 Harrogate Road crash (www.examinerlive.co.uk)
- ^ The Nags Head (www.examinerlive.co.uk)
- ^ trace its history back a couple of centuries (www.examinerlive.co.uk)