Suffolk residents left confused by 'abnormal load' A140 closures

The council has been working with the police, railway operator and haulage firm Allelys to plan how to move the abnormal loads across Suffolk

Suffolk County Council An abnormal load in Suffolk — The council has been working with the police, railway operator and haulage firm Allelys to plan how to move the abnormal loads across Suffolk

People living along a main road due to be affected by the biggest abnormal load ever transported in Suffolk said conflicting advice has confused them.

Giant sections of a power station will be moved by road from Ipswich Docks to Eye Airfield.

But residents said a letter from the haulier warned the A140 would be shut on six Sundays, while the county council had noted just three dates.

A parish council chair, Liz Cain, said residents had been "surprised".

Speaking on BBC Radio Suffolk, Ms Cain, who heads Wetheringsett-cum-Brockford Parish Council, said a letter from haulage firm Allelys listed closures for six concurrent Sundays, apart from Remembrance Sunday, with the road closed for the whole day on each occasion.

"What concerns us is the inconsistency of the advice - this letter is actually from the haulage company rather than Suffolk County Council, from whom we've had very little communication," she said.

Villagers were concerned about being blocked in their houses and more disruption than originally planned to local businesses, she added.

The abnormal load will be under police escort and move through Ipswich and along the A140 north to Eye Airfield

Geograph route A140 sign — The abnormal load will be under police escort and move through Ipswich and along the A140 north to Eye Airfield

Fifteen miles (24km) of the A140 will be closed to traffic while a turbine, generator and transformer are to be delivered in three trips.

The total journey is about 25 miles (40km) and will start at 06:30 in Ipswich.

A part of a 45m furnace straddles the central reservation of the M53 heading to Stanlow refinery in Cheshire last August

PA Media Abnormal load — A part of a 45m furnace straddles the central reservation of the M53 heading to Stanlow refinery in Cheshire last August

The operation was originally due to start on 8 October but was put back after the load was delayed in Europe.

Suffolk County Council cabinet member for operational highways, Paul West, said while the authority was obliged to help facilitate the journey, it relied on third party information from the operator.

He said the loads would now be moved through the county on Sundays 22 and 29 October and 5 November - with three contingency dates of Sundays 19 and 26 November and 3 December.

"The A140 will be closed on three Sundays," said Mr West.

"With each of the loads the police will take a view at the halfway point as to whether it will complete on that given Sunday.

"There has to be a contingency plan in case of bad weather or bad light."

Mr West added the A140 would shut between 13:00 and 18:00 on the affected dates, while those living nearby would be able to pass across the road from east to west and vice versa.

The A140 will be closed between the A14 and Castleton Way, Eye, junctions.

Allelys has been contacted by the BBC for comment.