Motorists thanked as huge load reaches destination

Suffolk Highways Grey machinery moving along a road on a red trailer. Two men in orange overalls are standing near the trailer. A police car is driving in front of the load. The trailer is marked with letters and numbers - AL50 - and the word "Allelys".Suffolk Highways
Highways officials thanked people for their patience as an abnormal load rolled through Suffolk

Highways officials have thanked motorists after a lorry carted a 178-tonne electrical transformer along main roads for several hours.

The abnormal road was taken on a journey of about five miles through Suffolk on Sunday.

Suffolk Highways gave updates on X as the 208ft-long (63.4m) vehicle crept from Ipswich docks to National Grid's substation on Bullen Lane, Bramford.

Officials said the lorry began moving at around 08:00 GMT and was "successfully manoeuvred" onto Bullen Lane shortly after 12:00.

Suffolk Highways A yellow and white police car, with blue lights shining, driving along the middle of a road in front of a blue and green lorrySuffolk Highways
The abnormal load has made slow progress through Suffolk

Suffolk Highways said in its post on X: "Massive thank you to local residents and road users for their patience whilst the movement was underway."

The Orwell Bridge had been shut in both directions to accommodate the load.

Officials said the load moved "at walking speed" in built-up areas and at up to 20mph (32km/h) along A-roads.

Suffolk Highways A blue and green lorry, with headlights on, being driven past a raised barrier. The lorry is carrying red machinery and driving next to a blue metal fence.  Puddles have gathered on the road. A person wearing an orange coat is standing nearby watching the lorry.Suffolk Highways
Suffolk Highways said it left Ipswich docks just after 08:00 GMT

Highways teams temporarily removed street furniture along the route while police managed traffic using rolling roadblocks.

Motorists had been urged to avoid the route.

Paul West, Suffolk County Council Conservative cabinet member for Ipswich, operational highways and flooding, thanked residents for their "understanding and patience".

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