Allelys has been working with Suffolk Highways, National Highways, Suffolk Police, as well as J McCann and Swarco to schedule the abnormal load movement, on behalf of National Grid.
The combined length of the vehicles including the girder frame carrying the transformer will be 63.478 metres and will depart from Ipswich Docks, Cliff Road at approximately 8am on Sunday, starting its journey to the National Grid Bramford substation. The abnormal load is currently expected to arrive in Bramford by 3pm; however, timings will be subject to change.
To support future abnormal loads, since 2021, Suffolk Highways has been replacing permanent street furniture such as safety railings, road signs and traffic signals with easily removable versions. This has since proven to limit the amount of work and disruption required during the lead up to abnormal load movements.
Suffolk Highways teams will be leading and following the vehicles to prepare the route, temporarily removing and reinstating street furniture. This will enable the load to be transported safely whilst keeping disruption to a minimum.
The Orwell Bridge will be temporarily closed in both directions whilst the abnormal load safely crosses and there will be parking restrictions in place in certain locations. Where necessary, advance notification signage for areas affected by parking restrictions will be in place approximately 2 weeks prior to the move day. To allow the load to navigate safely around permanent street furniture on the day of the move, the load may be travelling on the opposite side of the carriageway at times, including roundabouts. Suffolk Police will manage traffic with rolling roadblocks.
To limit the impact on the travelling public, there may be temporary stop points along the route to support with minimising congestion.
Councillor Paul West, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for Ipswich, operational highways and flooding, said:
“Our teams continue to support the moving of abnormal loads through the county, ensuring these are done safely and with minimum impact on residents.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank those who have worked hard to execute this complex operation, ensuring it runs smoothly, and residents for their understanding and patience as we do appreciate these operations can be a nuisance and inconvenient for local people.
“Whilst the restrictions and road closures are in place, I encourage road users to avoid the area where possible to allow the load to travel through safely.”
Approximate timings (subject to change)
8am (Leave Ipswich Docks, Cliff Road)
9am to 10am (Cross the Orwell Bridge)
12pm to 1pm (Navigate through Sproughton)
2pm to 3pm (Arrival at National Grids substation on Bullen Lane, Bramford)
- Whilst the restrictions show a longer duration, this is for contingency should the load take longer than expected.
- Through the built-up areas of the route, the vehicle will be travelling at walking speed. Along the main A roads, it should be able to get up to 15-20mph.
- We are advising road users to avoid the route area where possible to avoid congestion. We anticipate the transformer to leave ABP Ports, Ipswich Docks, Cliff Road at 8am.
- Suffolk Highways will issue updates as regularly as possible via social media, particularly key parts of the move.
The planned route for the load will be as follows:
B1548 Cliff Road
U2009 Toller Road
Holywells Road
C26 Landseer Road
C320 Nacton Road
A1189 Nacton Road/Nacton Interchange
A14 east bound
Seven Hills Interchange
A14 west bound
Copdock roundabout
A1214/London Road
A1071
B1113 Sproughton/High Street/Loraine Way
Bullen Lane, Bramford
Parking restrictions (4 and 5 January 2025, 24 hours each day)
B1458 Cliff Road, Ipswich (from dock gates to Toller Road junction)
U2009 Toller Road, Ipswich
B1113 High Street, Sproughton
B1113 Bramford Road, Sproughton
B1113 Loraine Way, Bramford (from Bramford Road to Bullen Lane)
Suspension of 7.5t weight restriction (5 January 2025, 24 hours)
B1113 High Street, Sproughton
B1113 Bramford Road, Sproughton (from High Street, Sproughton for approximately 15 metres northbound)
C26 Landseer Road, Ipswich (from Sandyhill Lane to Nacton Road)
C320 Nacton Road, Ipswich (from Landseer Road to Ransomes Way roundabout)
