DRIVERS are being warned to plan ahead as 600-tonne loads travelling at 12mph are transported along a motorway tonight.
Gloucester Police have warned drivers to expect “severe delays” during peak travel times as 600-tonne abnormal loads travel across the South East.
A police escort will accompany the crawling convoy, involving a manufacturing press and other related equipment, from Sharpness Docks to Brockworth this month.
The operation will begin on Tuesday evening (April 7), and will carry on through Wednesday (April 8), Thursday (April 9).
The delays will continue into next week as the movements will also take place on Wednesday (April 15) and Thursday (April 16), expected to begin at 6pm.
Departing from Sharpness, the vehicles will be transported along local roads, including the B4066, A38, B4509, before joining the M5 at junction 14 near Falfield.
They will then exit at J11A north onto the A417 via the entry slip road.
The vehicles that form the convey will use a contraflow system to join the M5, meaning they will enter the motorway via the J14 northbound exit slip road, instead of the entry slip road.
Drivers are advised that traffic will be held whilst the loads join and exit the motorways.
The loads are expected to complete the journey in five hours, arriving in Brockworth at roughly 11pm.
The transportation was originally planned for the 27 March, but has been delayed.
The vehicles must travel the low speed of 12mph owing to the vast size and weight of the loads.
In a statement released by Gloucester Police, officers have apologised in advance for “any inconvenience these movements may cause”.
