Family who own house in middle of the M62 say it’s ‘just like any other farm’

Drivers often wonder why there is a farm right in the middle of the M62[1] motorway between junctions 22 and 23 near Huddersfield.

There is a rumour the farmer wouldn't move when the road was built, so the six lanes of traffic were constructed around them. But the real story is a bit more complex.

Stott Hall Farm is home to Paul Thorp, his wife Jill Falkingham-Thorp, and their son John-William. They are sheep farmers who care for over 900 ewes and 20 Angus cattle that graze on the hills surrounding the fast-paced motorway, Yorkshire Live reports[2].

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The family shared a glimpse into their lives on the Channel 4 show 'The Pennines: Backbone of Britain'. Paul said: "I came here as a 22-year-old lad who was mad about farming." He added: "To get an opportunity to take on a farm this size were once in a lifetime, so it's my home now. It's just everything."

Paul went on to say: "It's just like any other farm really. You've got to know your land, know your job and plan around it." He added: "The only thing is we've got six lanes of traffic through ours. It throws up its challenges - it's very unique."

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Referring to the motorway traffic, he said: "The mind boggles as to where everybody is going. I just cannot get me head around where everybody's going every day."

For a sheep farmer on the M62, one big problem is when sheep escape. In a documentary, which put the farm under the spotlight in 2022, Paul needs help from the dry stone wallers to fix this modern issue.

Paul said: "As my grandad said, the stone in Yorkshire were put underneath Yorkshire so it could be used on top of Yorkshire. There's nowt else that would last, if you put a concrete wall up here, it would just erode in no time."

References

  1. ^ M62 (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  2. ^ Yorkshire Live reports (www.examinerlive.co.uk)
  3. ^ click here (manchester.page.link)

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