Drivers issued warning over huge 515-tonne abnormal load travelling on M1, M18 and M62 this weekend
Drivers taking to some of Yorkshire’s motorways this weekend are being warned about a huge abnormal load which can only travel at 8mph.
From 5pm on Sunday (Nov 15) South Yorkshire Police’s operation support unit will be escorting a huge slow moving abnormal load from the M1 to Goole Docks.
It comes after a similar, but slightly smaller, abnormal load was escorting through Yorkshire last weekend.
Once again, the force has advised drivers who may be caught behind the vehicle to expect delays.
The load is a turbine rotor which has been manufactured in Rugby. It is loaded on a 430-tonne trailer with two 42 tonne tractor units pulling and pushing and running on 248 wheels.
The huge size and weight of the vehicle - which stretches to 82 metres long, seven metres wide, 515 tonnes - means it can only travel at 8mph.
A statement from South Yorkshire Police said: “We will be travelling M1 north – M18 - M62 – A161 to Goole.
“Due to the size of this load, we must leave and rejoin the M18 at junction 2 for the A1 and junction 6 for Thorne, so expect delays around these areas.
“Once we reach the M62, which we anticipate will be around 9pm we will initially travel west, and all traffic will then be diverted.
“The west bound carriageway of the M62 will then be closed to allow us to travel contraflow to junction 36 where we will then take the A161 towards Goole docks.
“This move will cause delays if you get stuck behind us so please plan your journey accordingly.”