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A massive, slow lorry is set to cause delays on the M5 when it comes to Gloucestershire to turn around.

The lorry carrying electricity transformers from Bristol to Iron Acton near Yate is so big that it can only turn around Junction 13 of the M5 at Eastington.

The large, slow-moving vehicle with police escort is expected to take up two lanes of the M5 on Sunday, July 30. National Grid will transport new transformers to replace old equipment at Iron Acton substation, South Gloucestershire.

The transformer, a piece of equipment needed to change the voltage of electricity before it’s transmitted through the power network, will begin its journey from Avonmouth Port in Bristol on 30 July at 9am. It will travel to Iron Acton substation, where the estimated time of arrival is between 3pm and 3.30pm.

Due to the size of the lorry, it must take an indirect route to Iron Acton substation to avoid hazards, such as weak bridges and narrow turning points.

The lorry will leave Avonmouth docks via the M49. It will then head east on the M4 before joining the M5 northbound. The lorry then travels to Junction 13 for Stroud before returning southbound, where it will exit onto the B4509 at Junction 14. It should arrive at Junction 13 at 11.25am.

Finally, the lorry passes through the villages of Cromhall, Bagstone and Rangeworthy, and then follows the B4059 until it reaches Latteridge village, close to its final destination.

The lorry will be 57 metres long by 5 metres wide and weigh 231 tonnes. Due to the size and weight, the lorry will travel between 10 and 15 miles per hour. 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.

Project Engineer at National Grid, Paul Taunton, 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. If anyone has any questions or concerns, please contact our Community Relations team on 0800 073 1047. They are available seven days a week from 7am to 7pm.”