Traffic delays expected due to abnormal loads
TRANSFORMERS BEING MOVED ACROSS CITY
DELAYS are expected in Hull when abnormal loads are transported across the city from the east Hull docks to Cottingham.
Huge electricity transformers will be transported from Albert Dock via the A63, A1034 and the A1079. Deliveries are expected on two days this month and a further two days in June.
Hitachi Energy is transporting the transformers as part of the Dogger Bank Wind Farm project. Electricity produced by the turbines is processed at a convertor station near Cottingham.
Deliveries are anticipated on the mornings of May 21 and 28, and June 4 and 11, with each taking between six and eight hours, depending on the conditions.
Last May, a similar delivery left some motorists frustrated as they found themselves stuck behind the slow-moving convoy, which travelled at about 10-15mph.
Deliveries last year were given a police escort and at one point the trailer carrying the transformers deliberately had to be lowered to get under a bridge across the A63. The trucks are around 70 metres (230ft) long.
The transformers will play an integral role in the operation of two onshore convertor stations in East Yorkshire, which are due to create
renewable energy for millions of homes across the UK.
Rachel Lawrence, community engagement manager for Dogger Bank Wind Farm, said: “We were extremely grateful for the patience of communities in this area during our first round of deliveries last year and, while our contractor will again do everything it can to minimise disruption during these latest deliveries, it is possible some journey times may be slightly longer than normal.
“We would ask the public for their understanding as we carry out this critical work.”
The transformers will be delivered on specialist girder frame trailers provided by Allelys, a specialist transportation firm.
To support the delivery the team has worked with contractors and local highway officials from East Riding Council to carefully plan the route and minimise disruption to road users.
During deliveries, the delivery convoy, consisting of the abnormal load vehicle, police and support vehicles, will leave the Albert Dock in Hull and make its way westbound, along the A63 to join the A1034 at South Cave heading north.
The convoy will then join the A1079 at Market Weighton, heading east until the outskirts of Beverley, where the vehicle will turn south remaining on the A1079 and is expected to arrive at the convertor station site entrance, located between Beverley and Cottingham, in the afternoon on the specified dates.