A LARGE slow-moving lorry is expected to cause traffic delays across South Gloucestershire next weekend.

The lorry, which is 57-metres long and weighing 231 tonnes, will be travelling between 10 and 15 miles an hour as it transports large transformers for the National Grid.

Moving the transformers from Avonmouth Port at 9am, the lorry will take an indirect route to its final destination at the substation in Iron Acton, moving along the M49, and then the M5 northbound up to junction 13 at Stroud, turning around and heading southbound to exit at junction 14 in Falfield.

It will then move through Cromhall, Bagstone and Rangeworthy, before following the B4059 until it reaches Latteridge, close to its final destination.

The reason for the indirect route, which is expected to take more than six hours, is due to the lorry’s large size, and to avoid hazards, such as weak bridges and narrow turning points.

A police escort and special haulage team will accompany the lorry to ensure the safety of the public and our team.

The police escort will also be there to manage traffic and to halt traffic for a short time at certain places, such as when the lorry needs to straddle two road lanes, turn or travel along narrow roads.

Paul Taunton, project engineer at National Grid, said: “We’ve worked closely with our delivery partners, Allelys Heavy Haulage Ltd, to plan a safe delivery route and to keep disruption to a minimum.

“But there are likely to be some delays on the Sunday morning on the motorway and on smaller, narrow roads close to the substation.

“I’d like to thank people for their patience in advance of our work. By letting people know in advance, we hope that people will be able to plan their journeys on the 30 July to avoid any disruption.

“Our last delivery to Iron Acton substation was successful with little disruption to roads in the area, and we expect the same this time.”

Anyone with questions or concerns are asked to contact the National Grid community relations team on 0800 073 1047.