National Grid Electricity Transmission Haulage

To support the UK’s net zero commitments, National Grid Electricity Transmission PLC need to make changes to the substations and electricity network that transport electricity around the country. As part of this they are carrying out work to upgrade the existing Norwich Main substation which has been in service for around 50 years.

The upgrade will enable new sources of renewable electricity generation to connect into the grid and is separate to the proposals for the Norwich to Tilbury Project.

The work includes installing two new transformers, each weighing 184 tonnes. These are very large pieces of equipment that need to be transported under police escort.

The transformers will travel from Kings Lynn Port to Norwich Main substation. The deliveries are scheduled for Sunday 4 August and Sunday 15 September 2024.

Both deliveries are expected to leave Kings Lynn Port at 9.30am, and are expected to arrive at Norwich Main substation at 2pm. The journeys are estimated to take approximately 4.5 hours each. 

The transformers will be delivered by a specialist haulage contractor, Allelys, and will have a police escort for the duration of both journeys.

Due to the exceptional size of the load and the speed they are permitted to travel at, there are some scheduled traffic delays on the route. National Grid Electricity Transmission PLC have been working closely with National Highways and a specialist haulage contractor to minimise disruption. These are separate deliveries and are not expected to cause any disruption beyond the above mentioned dates.

To allow safe delivery of the transformers, National Highways will be temporarily removing street furniture in some sections of narrow road along the route. Directional bollards, traffic lights and sign posts will be removed on Edward Benefer Way and several directional bollards will be removed on either side of the Dunham Road junction and at the Honingham Roundabout.

There will also be areas where the transformers will have to drive contraflow to the traffic to avoid certain restrictions. To ensure safety during these manoeuvres, traffic will be temporarily stopped by the police escort. The transformers will drive contraflow after leaving Kings Lynn Port on the A1078, at Hamburg Way Junction, Grimston Road Crossroads, and the new roundabout near Norwich Main substation on Edward Benefer Way.

If you have any questions regarding the project, including any information you may need on the day of the delivery, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Our community relations team is available either by email at [email protected], or via our dedicated phone line on 0800 138 2831.