Traffic bulletin: Drivers advised to plan for journeys as huge electricity transformer powers north
A transformer shipped from Korea will complete the final leg of its journey along the M6 to Scotland this weekend.
Drivers using the M6 through Lancashire and Cumbria are being advised to be aware of the wide load movement.
SP Energy are moving the huge electricity transformer from the port at Heysham in Lancashire to Dumfriesshire. The operation will start at 9am on Saturday (28 September) and take until 3pm on Sunday (29 September) to complete.
The transformer weighs 186 tonnes, with the combined weight of the transporter and load weighing 375 tonnes.
Measuring 5.4m in width and 62m in length, it will straddle two lanes of the motorway and be travelling at around 12 mph. Drivers are being asked to exercise extra patience and care when overtaking in lane three of the motorway.
On the first leg of its journey the load will travel north on Saturday up the M6 from junction 34 near Lancaster in Lancashire to Tebay Services, just north of junction 38 in Cumbria. The load is expected to arrive at the services at 5pm.
On Sunday the load will embark on the second and final leg of its long journey, leaving Tebay Services at 7am, travelling to junction 42 at Carlisle for a planned break. It will then move into Scotland, joining the A74M to arrive at the Moffat Substation in Dumfriesshire at 3pm.
Drivers are advised to check traffic conditions before setting out on journeys. Live traffic information is always available at www.trafficengland.com or from National Highways’ 24-7 customer contact centre at 0300 123 5000. Updates will also be posted to @HighwaysNWest – National Highways’ regional X feed.
Notes to Editors
National Highways is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.
Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available via the Traffic England website, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Local Twitter services are also available.
For further information please contact National Highways' press office (24hrs) on 0844 693 1448 and select the most appropriate option:
Option 1: National enquiries (9am to 5.30pm) and out of hours for urgent enquiriesOption 2: North West (9am to 5.30pm)Option 3: Yorkshire and North East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 4: West Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)Option 5: East Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)Option 6: East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 7: South East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 8: South West (9am to 5.30pm)
