A TOTAL of 21 abnormal load escorts will take place along the A55, A487 and A497 across the next three weeks as part of a National Grid project in Eryri.

The Visual Impact Provision (VIP) scheme will soon see the arrival of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), which will be used to excavate a tunnel which will contain the new electricity cables that will replace the 3km of overhead line that crosses the Dwyryd Estuary.

These deliveries will start on Monday (November 18), and aims to reduce the visual impact of National Grid’s overhead line from Minffordd to Llandecwyn.

Routes and timings of the deliveries to the site compound in Minffordd have been planned to minimise disruption and traffic wherever possible.

Steve Ellison, National Grid’s senior project manager for the Eryri VIP, said:  “These deliveries have been many months in the planning, and we work hard to minimise any disruption that deliveries of this kind can cause.

“The movements are occurring at these times to try and minimise disruption to the local road network and we appreciate the cooperation and understanding of the local community.”

The TBM is being transported from Germany, where it has been manufactured, via sea transport to Immingham Docks in North East Lincolnshire.

It will then be transported to Chester services along the M56, before entering North Wales.

Of the 21 abnormal load deliveries, eight will require a full police escort, and the other 13 a partial police escort.

Another six deliveries will be normal HGVs, which do not require any police escort.

There will be between one and four deliveries per day during the delivery period. 

The widest delivery loads will be travelling through North Wales on November 18, 19 and 25.

All deliveries are scheduled to take place on weekdays during daylight hours, and at times that aim to avoid congested areas during busy traffic periods.

The delivery loads will be moving at speeds of up to 40mph for the first section of the route via the A55 dual carriageway, and then between 20mph and 30mph for the majority of the route via the A487.

There will be times when the loads reduce in speed such as when passing through the narrowest part of the route at Penmorfa, where they will travel at walking speed.

On the days where the abnormal loads are passing through the route, traffic management will be in place at the Minffordd roundabout in the form of four-way temporary traffic lights.

In order to allow the large loads to safely turn right at the Minffordd roundabout, National Grid will be temporarily removing street signage from around the Minffordd roundabout, just as the load passes that area.

To enable this to happen, the permanent street signage has been replaced with temporary, easily removable signage.

After the TBM has been successfully delivered to site, the permanent street signage and furniture will be fully reinstated.

The project also includes constructing two new tunnel head houses that will provide access to the tunnel, along with a sealing end compound to connect the underground cables with the remaining overhead line.

After being delivered to the site compound, the TBM will be unloaded and prepared to commence tunnelling in early 2025.

Once assembled, the TBM will measure 166 metres long and weigh 436 tonnes.

It is expected to complete tunnelling and reach its destination in Llandecwyn in mid-2026, with the pylons and overhead line due for removal in 2029.