A giant 78m-long abnormal load will be making a 38-mile journey through Wales this weekend
A truck carrying a huge abnormal load will pass through a number of Welsh towns and cause travel disruption. A transformer, a turbine and a generator will each be transported during three weekends in January.
The trailer used to transport the load will measure, approximately, 6.7 metres wide, 78 metres long and will have 28 axles. The abnormal load will begin its 38-mile journey at Newport Docks before navigating some of south Wales' main roads and arriving on-site at Hirwaun Power Station. It is the largest abnormal movement in the history of Welsh roads. For the latest Merthyr Tydfil news, sign up to our newsletter here[2][1]
According to Traffic Wales, the challenges posed by the site’s location can only be met by road, rather than rail. The movement requires careful collaboration with a range of partners including: the South Wales Trunk Road Agent (SWTRA) and Future Valleys, both working on behalf of the Welsh Government[3]. It will also involve Hirwaun Power, specialist hauliers Allelys, and a combined force of Gwent Police[4] and South Wales Police[5] to escort the loads.
There has been months of preparation, planning and assessment to ensure that the loads can be safely carried. Once the turbine, generator and transformer have arrived on site, they will help manage the stability of the national power grid.
This infrastructure will be used during periods of peak electricity demand and when "intermittent renewable technologies" are unable to produce the power required to keep the country running. Hirwaun Power Station will operate no more than 1,500 hours a year, aimed at helping the country to transition to a lower carbon economy. Its 299MW capacity will generate enough electricity to power more than 150,000 households within a matter of minutes. Want less ads? Download WalesOnline’s Premium app on Apple or Android[8][9]
There has been months of preparation and planning (Image: SkyGlide)
A transformer, a turbine and a generator will each be transported (Image: SkyGlide)
Traffic Wales said precise timings of the movement hd been carefully coordinated with the current A465 dualling project. Movement will take place between 8pm and 6am over three weekends leading to closures of the A449, A40 and A465 carriageways.
It will be carried out at night to create minimum disruption, however dates and times are dependent on weather[10] and are subject to change. At times there will be rolling road blocks on the abnormal load route and the vehicle will be travelling between 5-15mph. People are urged to use alternative routes and allow extra travel time.
Key road closure dates
13 January – 14 January:
A449 closed northbound between the M4[11] J24 Coldra and Raglan.
A40 closed westbound between Raglan and Abergavenny.
14 January – 15 January:
A465 closed eastbound between the Glanbaiden Roundabout and Ebbw Vale[12] West.
20 January – 21 January:
A449 closed northbound between the M4 J24 Coldra and Raglan.
A40 closed westbound between Raglan and Abergavenny.
21 January – 22 January:
A465 closed eastbound between the Glanbaiden Roundabout and Ebbw Vale West.
27 January – 28 January:
A449 closed northbound between the M4 J24 Coldra and Raglan.
A40 closed westbound between Raglan and Abergavenny.
28 January – 29 January:
A465 closed eastbound between the Glanbaiden Roundabout and Ebbw Vale West.
Key road closure timings
- Saturday night: abnormal load departs Newport Docks at 8pm
- Sunday early morning: abnormal load arrives at Llanfoist layby point at approximately 1am
- Sunday night: A465 Eastbound Glanbaiden-Ebbw Vale West closure & diversion established. Abnormal load departs Llanfoist at 10pm
- Sunday night: abnormal load arrives at the A470 Dowlais Top roundabout at 11pm
- Monday early morning: abnormal load arrive at A465 Hirwaun site at 6am
References
- ^ Newport (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ For the latest Merthyr Tydfil news, sign up to our newsletter here (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ Welsh Government (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ Gwent Police (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ South Wales Police (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ Young family of four left terrified after brick is thrown at motorhome leaving it sideways on dual carriageway (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ Train guard makes passengers laugh with Star Trek station announcements (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ Apple (go.skimresources.com)
- ^ Android (play.google.com)
- ^ weather (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ the M4 (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ Ebbw Vale (www.walesonline.co.uk)