Motorists using the M5 in Somerset are being warned to prepare for significant delays as a series of oversized loads travel north from Avonmouth over the coming weeks.
National Highways has announced that specialist transport company Allelys will be moving three large silos, each weighing up to 25 tonnes, from Avonmouth Docks near Bristol to the West Midlands.
The loads will travel as speeds of 20mph to 25mph, and only one lane will be available for all other traffic while the movements take place.
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The convoy will begin its journeys at M5 junction 18 at Avonmouth, meaning drivers travelling through North Somerset are likely to be among the first affected by the operation.
Three separate movements are planned, with each load taking two separate journey legs split across 2 days. The first journey is from Junction 18 in Avonmouth to Junction 8 in Worcester, while the second leg takes the oversized cargo on to their final destination in the Midlands.
The movements are scheduled for:
- September 30 and October 2
- October 8 and October 9
- October 11 and October 12
The loads will leave Avonmouth at 6pm on September 30, 10am on October 8 and 8.30am on October 11.
Police escorts from Avon and Somerset Police, Gloucestershire Police and West Midlands Police will accompany the convoys as they travel through the regions.
National Highways said northbound traffic on the M5 will be directly affected, with only one lane available while the movements are taking place.
Because of the height and size of the loads, the vehicles will travel at speeds of between 20mph and 25mph.
They will also need to stop at certain structures along the route so the loads can be lowered, requiring traffic to be temporarily held.
As a result, National Highways is warning motorists to expect delays of between 60 and 90 minutes.
To help reduce disruption, the vehicles will periodically pull over at suitable locations to allow queues of traffic to pass.
Drivers planning to use the northbound M5 through North Somerset, particularly around the Avonmouth area and junction 18, are being advised to allow extra time for their journeys and consider alternative routes where possible.
Further information, including a route map, is available from National Highways on their website.
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