Motorists thanked as huge load reaches destination

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.

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 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".