Electricity transmission company National Grid is advising motorists, businesses and residents that an abnormal load is due to be moved from Stafford to Sale this weekend.
A new supergrid transformer will be delivered to South Manchester substation in Sale, to help ensure that the North West continues to enjoy safe and secure electricity supplies in the future.
The transformer will be transported by heavy load specialists Allelys on a 30-metre-long vehicle, travelling at speeds of between 12 and 25mph under escort.
The vehicle will leave the Areva site on the Lichfield Road (A34) in Stafford at around 3pm on Saturday 27 February. It will travel along the A5013 onto the M6 North, M56, A5103 and M60 where it will park up overnight. During the early hours of Sunday 28 February the transformer will continue its journey to the substation with an expected arrival time of around 7am.
The final leg of the route will see the vehicle leaving the M60 at junction 6, turning left onto the A6144 Old Hall Road, left into Wythenshawe Road and left into Fairy Lane.
To ensure the transformer can reach its destination safely, National Grid has asked local residents to keep Wythenshawe Road and Fairy Lane clear of parked cars between midnight on Saturday and 10am on Sunday.
Project Manager Mike Calvert said: “This is a huge piece of equipment to move and the route and timing of the journey have been carefully planned with the Highways Agency, police and local councils to minimise disruption.
“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank people in advance for their
co-operation.”
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For further media information contact, Jeanette Unsworth, National Grid Media Relations on 01926 655372