Abnormal load's 18-hour motorway journey postponed

The 50m-long (164ft) piece of equipment was due to taken on an 18-hour journey from Essex to Bedfordshire

The planned transportation of a 350-tonne load along the M25 and M1 has not gone ahead due to an "unforeseen concern".

In a statement, Milbrook Power said moving the piece of power station equipment had to be postponed.

The 50m-long (164ft) load was due to have left the Port of Tilbury in Essex for an 18-hour journey to Millbrook in Bedfordshire on Saturday night.

A police escort would have accompanied it along a 79-mile (127km) route.

The firm said the job was stood down at 19:00 GMT on Saturday, and National Highways confirmed no road closures were implemented.

The equipment was due to have left the port at 16:00 and organisers hoped it would arrive between 10:00 and 12:00 on Sunday.

The trip was scheduled to move "essential" parts needed for the power station that, when complete, will provide enough electricity to power 150,000 households, a National Highways spokesperson said.

The first of the three journeys was completed successfully on 24 February, with the third due to take place on 23 and 24 March.

In a statement the firm said: "Due to an unforeseen concern regarding the transportation trailer, the load movement for Saturday 9 March into Sunday morning had to be postponed.

"We will be in touch when we have a clear picture as to the timescale of moving this load."