National Grid : Large load to take to the road in Kent

17 Oct 2017

• 318 tonne electricity transformer travelling from Dover to Sellindge on 87 metre plus vehicle overnight on Tuesday 24 October

• Delivery will travel at a maximum speed of 12 mph

• Transformer will help ensure people remain connected to safe and reliable electricity supplies

A house-sized electricity transformer will be heading from the Port of Dover to National Grid's Sellindge converter station with a police escort.

At 9pm on Tuesday 24 October 2017 the transformer will leave the Port of Dover aboard a specialist delivery vehicle which is over 87 metres long and 5.8 metres wide. The transformer is expected to arrive at the Sellindge electricity converter station by 7am on Wednesday 25 October.

Flanked by outriders from Kent Police the transformer will exit the Port of Dover at Union Street and will travel along the A20 to the Alkham Valley Road junction (A260 - Canterbury Road). It will then continue along the A259 (Churchill Avenue) to access the M20 at junction 13.

It will exit the M20 at junction 9 and re-join it to travel back to junction 10. This is due to a weight restriction at this junction. The load will then leave the M20 at junction 10, travelling along the A20 and Church Lane before reaching the Sellindge electricity converter station.

Throughout its journey the vehicle will travel at approximately 12 miles an hour. It's so big that it needs two trucks, one at the back and one at the front, to propel it.

National Grid project engineer James Sheridan, said: 'It's our job to connect people to the energy they use and this delivery is part of that process.

'Once operational the transformer will change the voltage of electricity so it can be transported along local power lines and delivered to homes, businesses and community facilities.'

He added: 'We'll do all we can to make sure this delivery goes as smoothly as possible. If people could please avoid parking on the route - particularly on narrow areas - it will ensure we get the transformer from the Port of Dover to Sellindge converter station as quickly and efficiently as possible.'

If people have any questions or concerns about the delivery they can call 0800 731 1231 or email info@communityrelations.co.uk