18 Jul 2016
• New equipment to be transported on Sunday morning, 24 July 2016 to substation near Iron Acton
• Large, slow-moving vehicle with police escort may cause disruption on local road network
• Equipment required to upgrade existing infrastructure to ensure reliable electricity supplies
On Sunday 24 July National Grid will transport new, 235 tonne transformer to replace old equipment at Iron Acton substation, South Gloucestershire.
The transformer, a piece of equipment needed to change the voltage of electricity before it's transmitted through the power network, will begin its journey from Avonmouth Port in Bristol on 24 July at 8.00. It will travel to Iron Acton substation, where we estimate an arrival time of between 14.30 and 15.00.
A special, heavy haulage lorry will transport the transformer. The lorry will be 55 metres long by 5 metres wide and weigh 235 tonnes. Due to the size and weight, the lorry will travel between 10 and 15 miles per hour. A police escort and special haulage team will accompany the lorry to ensure the safety of the public and our team. The police escort will also be there to manage traffic and to halt traffic for a short time at certain places, such as when the lorry needs to straddle two road lanes, turn or travel along narrow roads.
Due to the size of the lorry, it must take an indirect route to Iron Acton substation to avoid hazards, such as weak bridges and narrow turning points.
The lorry will leave Avonmouth docks via the M49. It will then head east on the M4 before joining the M5 northbound. The lorry then travels to Junction 13 before returning southbound, where it will exit onto the B4509 at Junction 14.
Finally, the lorry passes through the villages of Cromhall, Bagstone and Rangeworthy, and then follows the B4059 until it reaches Latteridge village, close to its final destination.
Project Engineer at National Grid, Tom Penn, said: 'We've worked closely with our delivery partners, Allelys Heavy Haulage Ltd, to plan a safe delivery route and to keep disruption to a minimum. But there are likely to be some delays on the Sunday morning on the motorway and on smaller, narrow roads close to the substation.
'I'd like to thank people for their patience in advance of our work. By letting people know in advance, we hope that people will be able to plan their journeys on the 24 July to avoid any disruption.
'Our last delivery to Iron Acton substation was successful with little disruption to roads in the area, and we expect the same this time. If anyone has any questions or concerns, please contact our Community Relations team on 0800 073 1047. They are available seven days a week 07.00 - 19.00.'
A link to a google map displaying the route is available here.
People who have any questions or find out more can contact National Grid's Community Relations Team on Freephone 0800 073 1047, available Monday to Sunday, week 07.00 - 19.00.