Motorists in Lancashire have been warned to expect delays on the M6 this weekend and we have the details about why.

SP Energy is moving a huge electricity transformer from the port at Heysham in Lancashire to Dumfriesshire. The operation will start at 9am on Saturday (28 September) and take until 3pm on Sunday (29 September) to complete.

The transformer weighs 186 tonnes, with the combined weight of the transporter and load weighing 375 tonnes. 

 Measuring 5.4m in width and 62m in length, it will straddle two lanes of the motorway and be travelling at around 12 mph. Drivers are being asked to exercise extra patience and care when overtaking in lane three of the motorway. 

 

 

On the first leg of its journey the load will travel north on Saturday up the M6 from junction 34 near Lancaster to Tebay Services, just north of junction 38 in Cumbria. The load is expected to arrive at the services at 5pm.

The SP Energy Transformer being shipped from KoreaThe SP Energy Transformer being shipped from Korea (Image: National Highways)

On Sunday the load will embark on the second and final leg of its long journey, leaving Tebay Services at 7am, travelling to junction 42 at Carlisle for a planned break. It will then move into Scotland, joining the A74M to arrive at the Moffat Substation in Dumfriesshire at 3pm.

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.