A landlord of a pub along the A140 in Suffolk says she will lose most of three Sunday lunchtimes of trade due to 500-tonne convoys being transported across the county.
A generator, turbine, and transformer, each weighing about 500 tonnes, will be moved from Ipswich docks to the Progress Power Station at Eye Airfield on October 8, 15, and 22 respectively.
The movements have been described as the largest combined effort for Suffolk Highways to date, on behalf of renewable energy company Drax Group.
The loads will depart from Cliff Quay in the early hours of each morning at about 6.30am, moving at a walking pace in built-up areas, led by Suffolk Highways with traffic management from Suffolk police.
A temporary road closure will be in place on the A140 from Claydon to Eye, which could be in place for several hours from 12pm, according to Suffolk County Council.
The Walnut Tree pub at Thwaite, south of Eye, is a well-loved vegetarian pub-restaurant and shop that picks up passing customers on the busy road, and its busiest shift is Sunday lunch.
Pub owner Jan Wise said: “It wipes out our complete lunchtime and it couldn't be worse. We can take more money on that shift than we can at any other.
“They are not going to be paying compensation for small businesses as far as I am aware.
"The cost of living crisis is definitely having an effect and we have come out of Covid lockdowns and it just seems like one thing after another and now they are going to ruin our trade on three consecutive Sundays.
“Could they have not do this overnight, or is it not conceivable that the whole thing is moved at once?
"It seems like a total disregard for small businesses, and even for residents to some extent, to do this over three Sundays.”
As each vehicle is expected to measure 80 metres long, tree cutting and hedge trimming has had to take place in preparation, and highways teams will lead and follow the vehicle on the day, temporarily removing and reinstating street furniture and trimming trees where required.
A temporary overbridge will be installed over the Brockford Street bridge structure for the convoy to pass over, which will be dismantled once the load has passed for the reopening of the A140.
A Suffolk County Council spokesman said: “It is essential for the abnormal loads to be moved during daylight hours only to ensure the safety of the operational teams and members of the public.
"Particularly whilst the loads are carefully manoeuvred through Ipswich and along the A140.
“Due to the size of each load and the day light timing restraints, it is not possible for the loads to be moved in one day. Our teams will continue to work to limit disruption as much as possible.
“Whilst the A140 road closure is in place, traffic will be diverted via A140, A143, A14 and vice versa. Within the closed area, the abnormal load will travel through under a rolling roadblock, managed by Suffolk police.
“Once the load has passed, unrestricted access will be allowed via the north or south. This will be managed by teams on site and will be dependent on the location of the load at the time access is required.”
Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for Ipswich, operational highways and flooding, Paul West, said: “A great deal of careful planning and joint working goes into an operation such as this one.
"I am confident that those involved will ensure the safe and successful delivery of parts on behalf of Drax Group. I want to thank communities that may be affected by this move for their understanding and cooperation."
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