Warning of 'abnormal loads' passing through city centre

Mid-morning drivers in Sunderland city centre are being warned of slow-moving traffic as 10 'abnormal loads' - some nearly 30 metres (100ft) long - will be moving to the Port of Sunderland.

Four loads are scheduled to leave the Deptford site of crane manufacturer Liebherr and travel towards the port from 9.30am on Monday 26 April.

The loads, measuring between 5.5m and 5.6m wide (18ft) will be escorted by Northumbria Police along Farringdon Road, A1231 Silksworth Row, St Marys Boulevard, A1018 West Wear Street and High Street East before arriving at the Port of Sunderland.

The loads will depart throughout the day starting from 9.30am, avoiding peak travel times.

On Friday 30 April, a further six abnormal loads between 27m and 29m long (95ft) will travel along the same route.

Executive Director of City Development at Sunderland City Council, Peter McIntyre said: "While there could be some delays and inconvenience to highways users, please remember that these are goods for export which have been manufactured here in Sunderland and are now being exported through our port to their new homes. We appreciate motorists' patience as these goods make their way to the port.

"Highways staff and contractors on the SSTC3 project have worked very closely with the police and Liebherr on ensuring that these large loads are transported safely and conveniently to the Port of Sunderland.

"Staff at the port have also worked closely on this important shipping movement which are a very large physical example of products that have been Made in Sunderland."