Electricity transmission company National Grid is advising motorists, businesses and residents that an abnormal load is due to be moved from Luton to Croydon over the weekend of Friday 18 September to Monday 21 September.
An electricity transformer weighing 175 tonnes is being transferred between National Grid’s electricity substations in Sundon, near Luton, and Beddington, near Croydon. It will be carried on a 66-metre-long vehicle travelling at speeds of 4 to 12 mph under police escort.
The transformer is due to leave Sundon at around 8pm on Friday 18 September. It will travel along Water End Lane, B579 Luton Road, A5120 Harlington Road, M1 and M25. It will leave the M25 at Junction 23 to park at South Mimms Services.
At 10pm on Saturday 19 September the transformer will then move from South Mimms Services along the M25 to park for the day at Clacket Lane services.
The transformer will head off for the second leg of its journey into Beddington at 10pm on Sunday 20 September, travelling along the M25 to junction 6, onto the A22 and then the A23, Beddington Farm Road, Coomber Way, and finally the B272 Beddington Lane for arrival at the substation between 3am and 4am on Monday morning.
The exact times of the journey will be decided by the Police and will depend on traffic conditions.
Parking restrictions will be in place Sunday night and early Monday morning in Beddington Farm Road.
Project manager Paul Balcon said: “This is a huge piece of equipment to move and the route has needed very careful planning. We have tried to avoid causing disruption wherever possible, which is why we are moving the vehicle in several stages and at night. Abnormal Load Engineering Limited (ALE), who are moving the transformer on our behalf, have worked closely with the Highways Agency, police and local councils to co-ordinate the route.
“We would be very grateful if local people could help us by not parking their vehicles on the route into Beddington substation on Sunday night. We apologise for any inconvenience this second delivery in a month may cause, but it is essential to ensure continued electricity supplies to the area in the years to come.”
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For further media information contact Carol Lloyd, National Grid Media Relations on
01926 655372,.