Delays warning as huge loads take to the roads

Sunderland drivers are being warned to expect traffic to be slow through the city centre as 10 abnormal loads are transported to the docks.

The loads will be taken from the Deptford site of crane manufacturer Liebherr to the Port of Sunderland, with the first four to be moved this morning.

Some will be almost 30 metres long – that’s 100ft – with the initial loads scheduled to leave Liebherr and travel towards the port from 9.30am.

The loads, which will also measure between 5.5m and 5.6m wide – around 18ft – will be escorted by Northumbria Police along Farringdon Road, A1231 Silksworth Row, St Mary’s Boulevard, A1018 West Wear Street and High Street East before arriving at the Port of Sunderland.

Sunderland City Council has said the departure times have been set up to avoid peak travel times.

On Friday, the remaining six abnormal loads, measuring between 27m and 29m long – 95ft – will travel along the same route.

The council’s Executive Director of City Development Peter McIntyre said: "While there could be some delays and inconvenience to highways users, please remember that these are goods for export which have been manufactured here in Sunderland and are now being exported through our port to their new homes.

"We appreciate motorists’ patience as these goods make their way to the port.

"Highways staff and contractors on the Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridor project have worked very closely with the police and Liebherr on ensuring that these large loads are transported safely and conveniently to the Port of Sunderland.”