Allelys has been working with Suffolk Highways, National Highways, Suffolk Police, as well as J McCann and Swarco to reschedule the abnormal load movement, on behalf of Conrad Energy and National Grid.
A 164-tonne transformer, which is being transported on a vehicle measuring 71 metres in length, will depart from Ipswich Docks at approximately 6am on Sunday, starting its journey to the Synchronous Condenser Plant in Yaxley.
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.
Teams will be leading and following the vehicle 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.
A temporary road closure of the A140 will be necessary whilst the load moves to its destination. A temporary overbridge at Brockford will be installed to protect the roads and structure.
Once the load has safely passed the overbridge and the road is deemed safe for public use, the overbridge will be dismantled in readiness for when the A140 can be reopened. The closure could be in place for several hours from late morning. Whilst the A140 is closed, between A14 and A1120, access to smaller vehicles will be allowed to cross from East to West and vice versa. However, this will be subject to the position of the abnormal load at the time.
Other restrictions will also be in place, such as parking and weight limit restrictions, the suspension of any double yellow lines along the route and the closure of Derby Road, Tomline Road, and the St Matthews Street subway, in Ipswich. Old Norwich Road, Ipswich and Old Norwich Road, Whitton will also have parking restrictions as a contingency route in the unlikely event that the move needs to be spread over two weekends.
To allow the load to navigate safely around permanent street furniture on the day of the move, the load will be travelling on the opposite side of the carriageway at times. Traffic Management teams will be leading the load, whilst Suffolk Police will manage traffic. Mid-morning, traffic on the A14 eastbound will be temporary held whilst the load travels the wrong way from the Whitehouse Interchange (jct. no. 53) to the A140 Interchange (jct. no. 52).
The Suffolk Police enforced rolling roadblock on the A14 eastbound is anticipated to be in place between approximately 10am and 10.30am. The A140 is expected to be closed from approximately 11am until 6pm; however, these timings will be subject to change.
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: It is good news that Suffolk Highways has been able to facilitate the rescheduled abnormal load move. The team will continue to support future abnormal loads ensuring these are carried out safely and with minimal impact on Suffolk's residents.
Whilst the restrictions and road closures are in place, road users are encouraged to avoid the area where possible to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.
