M6 traffic bulletin: Drivers advised to plan journeys ahead of transportation of huge 450-tonnes electricity transformer from Heysham Port

Welsh Power are moving a huge electricity transformer from the port at Heysham to Longtown, north of Carlisle in Cumbria. The operation begins at 9am and will last around 12 hours.

The load, more than six metres wide and weighing 450 tonnes, will travel north up the M6 from junction 34 near Lancaster all the way through Cumbria – straddling two lanes of the carriageway. Once in Cumbria, the vehicle will park on a closed lane of the northbound exit slip road at junction 39 for a planned break before resuming its journey.

It will then move into Scotland up the A74(M) where it will turn and head south – rejoining the M6. The load will exit the southbound M6 motorway at junction 45 reversing up the entry slip road before heading to Longtown. Ultimately, the transformer will move on to Gretna where Welsh Power is constructing a specialist site to support the grid.

The load will be moving at around 12 mph along the M6 and drivers are being asked to exercise extra patience and care when overtaking in lane three of the motorway. Drivers may be stopped temporarily at locations around junction 45 when the load is leaving the motorway.

Drivers are advised to check traffic conditions before setting out on journeys. Live traffic information is always available at www.trafficengland.com or from National Highways 24-7 customer contact centre at 0300 123 5000. Updates will also be posted to @HighwaysNWest – National Highways’ regional X feed.